PERFECT FOR THIS TEAM
New Memphis forward Isaiah Maurice nodded his head, admitting that spending a year in Levelland, Texas — population 13,628 — can take a lot out of a player who has already been on the Division-I stage.
“But I feel like when you do something like that, when you go to junior college, that’s when your character really comes out,” Maurice said last month.
Maurice spent two seasons at Kansas State, redshirting his first year and averaging 3 points in 8.8 minutes his second year. The North Carolina native was dismissed from the team in June 2017 for a violation of team rules.
He landed at South Plains Junior College, where it took a last-minute effort by newly-hired Memphis coach Penny Hardaway and his staff to pry the junior away from New Mexico this summer. Maurice was once committed to the Lobos.
But he simply couldn’t refuse Hardaway’s promise: A fresh start.
When in search of new beginnings, what team is more glaringly obvious than one with four junior college players already on the roster, and a program that has pinned its revival on a firsttime college coach?
“I knew that if you’re the type of person who has been through a lot, who has handled the tough situations, you were going to be a perfect fit for this team,” Maurice said.
He sure looked like a great fit in his 18-point, seven-rebound Memphis debut Thursday as the Tigers rolled LeMoyne-Owen in an exhibition game. Not only did Maurice start, but he knew he would play a significant role on the interior with forward Mike Parks Jr. out with back discomfort and Louisville transfer Lance Thomas still waiting on a waiver from the NCAA to become eligible.
“It felt good to be called on as one of the five guys (Hardaway) trusts to put out there to start the game,” Maurice said. “But we just have to bring it when we get out there.”
Maurice did just that. He opened the contest by converting on two jumphooks and grabbed the first two rebounds on the defensive end.
Hardaway noted that Maurice’s performance was even more impressive when you consider Memphis will feature a guard-heavy offense this year.
“I’m sure he earned a lot of respect from his teammates, and he’ll continue to get the ball as long as he continues to make sound decisions and make aggressive moves down there,” Hardaway said.
“Mentally, I have been prepared for this,” Maurice said. “Coming from Kansas State, there was a bunch that we do now, even with the practices, conditioning and weight training.”
Although Maurice conceded that the transition from Texas to Memphis has been an adjustment, Thursday’s performance was a satisfying beginning to his “fresh start.”
Hardaway challenged Maurice to maintain the productivity he showcased at the junior college level this offseason. And frankly, he’ll need the 6foot-10 forward for significant minutes
Drew Hill
if his frontcourt remains thin without Thomas eligible.
“This has been fun, but it’s also been tough,” Maurice said. “For me, now, it’s about staying in this moment and making sure that I just stay focused. I want to take advantage of all the work I put in to be here this season.”