Memphis star center Jalen Duren is declaring for the NBA Draft after a standout freshman season with the Tigers. Duren earned AAC Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-AAC First Team after helping lead Memphis to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.

The former five-star prospect is considered a likely lottery pick in the draft after meeting the recruiting hype he generated as a prospect who reclassified from 2022 to join the Tigers this past season. Despite skipping a year, Duren had little trouble adjusting to the physicality of college basketball. The 6-foot-10 bruiser recorded nine double-doubles in 29 games.

Duren finished the season averaging 12 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while playing a key role as the Tigers turned their season around following a poor start. Duren ranked third nationally among all true freshmen in blocks per game behind DaRon Holmes II of Dayton and Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren.