Memphis freshman center Jalen Duren will enter the 2022 NBA draft and will forgo his remaining college eligibility, signing with agent Chafie Fields of Wasserman, he tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Duren averaged 12.0 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 2.1 BPG in 29 games (25.3 MPG) during his first and only college season, earning AAC Freshman of the Year honors and making the All-AAC First Team. Givony currently has Duren ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect on ESPN’s big board and says the big man is the youngest college player projected to be drafted in 2022.
In his scouting report, Givony refers to Duren as a “major force inside the paint” on both ends of the floor, lauding his ability to protect the rim on defense and to finish at the basket on offense. The youngster also showed some promising signs as a passer and shooter, Givony adds, but even without taking major strides in those areas, he could be ready to step into a regular NBA role right away.
“A guy like Evan Mobley — he had a big impact defensively on the Cavs-bringing size, length, mobility. I want to be that kind of guy early on, have that same type of impact,” Duren told ESPN. “I also study guys like Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jokic. The ball runs through them and they can really pass. My game fits that. I can guard 1-5. Hedge and switch on ball-screens and read all the pick and rolls. I’ve developed all those things very well.”
Duren joins our ever-growing list of early entrants for the 2022 draft, which can be found right here.
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