4-star signee Nesbitt enrolls early at Memphis
The Memphis basketball team welcomed 4-star signee Jordan Nesbitt Tuesday.
Nesbitt, a 6-foot-6 guard who committed to the Tigers in October and signed in November, began his senior season at St. Louis Christian Academy last fall.
A source told The Commercial Appeal Tuesday both coaching staffs agreed it was in Nesbitt's best interest to enroll early. The source requested anonymity because no official announcement has been made.
He is expected to participate in team activities and will be eligible to play in games this season. But whether Nesbitt competes in any of the Tigers' remaining games is up to coach Penny Hardaway and his staff.
“It's great to have Jordan on campus early,” Hardaway said in a press release. “He'll be able to get to know his teammates, start learning the plays and get acclimated to campus. He's a tough, athletic, physical guard, and he plays with high energy and the right mindset.”
Nesbitt is the 56th-ranked Class of 2021 recruit in the nation, according to 247 Sports Composite rankings. He averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds a game as a junior. He played in 10 games for SLCA before enrolling at Memphis, averaging 16.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
“I would describe myself as a bucket-getter,” Nesbitt told The Commercial Appeal last August. “But someone who can also make sure he gets his teammates involved as well. (Someone who brings) a lot of energy. Bringing that dog to the floor. That's my type of game. Willing to do things that other guys don't want to do.”
Memphis (6-5, 2-2 AAC) has struggled scoring points this season. The Tigers are averaging 70.7 points per game and rank 153rd in adjusted offensive efficiency.
If Nesbitt – who turned 19 on Oct. 1 – plays this season, it will not count against his NCAA eligibility. Last October, the NCAA approved an extra year of eligibility for all winter sports participants due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Casey Autenrieth, who coached Nesbitt at St. Louis Christian Academy, told The Commercial Appeal last year that there's a lot to like about Nesbitt's game.
“Elite court vision,” Autenrieth begins. “High basketball IQ. Can score from all three levels. Very physical player. High motor guy. Plays with a ‘dog' mentality. He shoots the ball really well. Very good coming off ball screens. He makes other people around him better. High-level rebounder. He's able to grab the ball off the board and start the break.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.