Who’s who: Memphians in the NCAA men’s tourney
The Memphis Tigers may be sitting out the NCAA tournament for a third straight season, but there are numerous players with ties to the city that will take part in March Madness over the coming days and weeks. Below, you’ll find a list of all the local prospects represented in this year’s NCAA tournament. As usual, Memphis will have plenty of rooting interests on teams around the country.
F Johnathan Williams, Gonzaga, RS Jr. — The former Southwind star transferred to Gonzaga after leading Missouri in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots two years ago and quickly became a fixture in the starting lineup for the top-seeded Bulldogs. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season.
G Jajuan Johnson, Marquette, Sr. — This former top 50 recruit from Southwind was Marquette’s most improved player a year ago after nearly leaving Milwaukee when former Coach Buzz Williams took a job at Virginia Tech following his freshman season. He picked up where he left off this year, averaging a careerhigh 11.8 points while starting 24 games.
G Chris Chiozza, Florida, Jr. — This White Station product has become an important member of the Gators’ bench and ranks second on the team, averaging 3.7 assists per game. The 6-foot point guard played increasingly well over the final month of the season, scoring in double figures in seven of Florida’s last nine games.
G Lagerald Vick, Kansas, So. — This Douglass High product originally signed to play for SMU before switching course and picking Kansas over Kentucky. He started in place of touted freshman Josh Jackson in the Jayhawks’ Big 12 tournament loss to TCU after emerging as a key reserve on the perimeter this season. The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for the year.
F Jermerrio Jones, New Mexico State, Jr. — A two-star recruit coming out of Melrose High, this 6-foot-5 forward spent two seasons at Hill Junior College (Texas) before coming to New Mexico State this year and instantly morphing into a top reserve for the WAC champions. He is averaging 9.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the season.
F Eric Curry, Minnesota, Fr. — This Memphis native played his high school basketball at Southwest Christian Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is averaging nearly 20 minutes, 5.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game off the bench during his first year in Minneapolis. The 6foot-9 top 100 recruit will face off against a former high school teammate, Middle Tennessee State guard Tyrik Dixon, in the round of 64 Thursday afternoon.
G Avery Woodson, Butler, Sr. — The Waynesboro, Mississippi, native transferred to Butler after graduating from Memphis last year and immediately emerged as a crucial shooter off the bench. Woodson is averaging 8.6 points per game and shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range this year. If Butler were to reach the Sweet 16, he would make his return to FedExForum.
F Kuran Iverson, Rhode Island, Sr. — Related to former NBA star Allen Iverson, this 6-foot-9 forward transferred to Rhode Island from Memphis following the 2014-15 season. This year, he started every game for the Atlantic-10 champions and averaged 9.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
G Jonathan Wilfong, Southern Methodist, Sr. — Related to several former Memphis basketball players, Wilfong is a walk-on for the Mustangs after playing his high school basketball at Memphis University School. The 6foot-3 guard set season highs in points (four) and minutes (16) when SMU blew out the Tigers on senior day earlier this month.
F Micah Thomas, Maryland, Fr. -This former Mr. Basketball from Briarcrest Christian is taking a redshirt year and has not appeared in a game for the Terrapins yet.