Which Tigers have eligibility remaining?
The Memphis basketball team still has business to attend to this season.
The Tigers are gearing up for a road date with SMU (8 p.m., Thursday, ESPN2) and a massive matchup at home against No. 1 Houston (11 a.m., Sunday, CBS). Then, they will turn their attention toward the AAC Tournament and, potentially, March Madness.
Once it's all said and done, though, coach Penny Hardaway will set his focus on managing a roster that will undergo some turnover. Exactly how many comings and goings are in the offing remains to be seen. There will be at least five departures. Kendric Davis, Deandre Williams, Alex Lomax, Elijah Mccadden and Damaria Franklin have each exhausted their eligibility.
These are the current Tigers who have collegiate eligibility remaining:
Keontè Kennedy
The 6-foot-5 guard was enjoying a fine season as a first-year Tiger, averaging 9.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. But Kennedy's season ended prematurely when he broke his right hand by punching a wall after Memphis' loss at Houston on Feb. 19. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Chandler Lawson
The former Oregon Duck is Memphis' second-leading rebounder (4.3 per game) this season and has played in every game, making 18 starts. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Kaodirichi Akobundu-ehiogu
Despite his limited playing time (averaging 11.1 minutes through 29 games), the former UT Arlington center has made his mark as the Tigers' primary shot-blocker. Akobundu-ehiogu's 1.57 blocks per game is the second-best clip in the AAC. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Jahmar Young Jr.
After four seasons at SMU, the 6-11 center transferred to Memphis in August
2022. But because he entered the portal after the May 1 deadline for immediate eligibility, Young has not played this season. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Johnathan Lawson
The only freshman in the rotation, the 6-6 guard's usage rate was spotty early this season. But Lawson has seen his playing time increase lately and has made some big plays in recent weeks. Since he was not enrolled during the 2020-21 season when the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to thenhampered
current student-athletes, Lawson has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Ian Granja
The only true freshman on the team, the 6-7 forward has played in just three games for a total of eight minutes. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Malcolm Dandridge
The Tigers' 6-9 big man has been a solid contributor during his four seasons at Memphis. But injuries have
his playing time and lowered his ceiling. In 14 games this season, he is averaging 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds. Dandridge has one season of eligibility remaining.
Jayden Hardaway
The 6-5 shooting guard has given Memphis 5.6 points per game as a redshirt senior this season. Coach Penny Hardaway's son has one season of eligibility remaining.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.