Jalen Duren updates recruitment ahead of Peach Jam

Jalen Duren is one of the final possible pieces to Kentucky’s 2021-22 puzzle, with a decision expected after the Peach Jam, which tips off tomorrow in North Augusta. Duren and Team Final, which also includes fellow Kentucky target Dereck Lively, started the July evaluation period at the Hoop Group Summer Jam Fest in Pennsylvania this past weekend, and all three coaches of the schools he’s considering were in attendance. John Calipari and Memphis’ Penny Hardaway and Larry Brown watched Duren on Saturday night, while Miami’s Jim Larrañaga and DJ Irving checked in earlier in the day.

Penny Hardaway, Cody Toppert, and newly hired Larry Brown, sitting courtside with John Calipari to watch Jalen Duren and others.

If you walk into a gym ready to recruit and see these 4 sitting together you should probably leave. pic.twitter.com/cpTSvf9HHN

— M-Town Media (@mtownmedia) July 11, 2021

Rich Flanagan of Zags Blog spoke to Duren after his team’s 63-39 win over Jersey Force Saturday night. The 6’10” 220 lbs. center spoke glowingly of each school and the pro routes (G-League and NBL), adding that his biggest priority is development.

“I had the chance to learn about the program,” Duren said of his official visit to Kentucky on June 28. “Talking to Coach Calipari and Bruiser Flint for the first time was amazing. They can develop me and learning about the history of the program was great. It was my first time in Kentucky so seeing a lot of it was terrific.”

When asked about Memphis, Duren praised Hardaway and Brown’s experience in the pros. With Miami, the biggest draw remains his relationships with the coaching staff, specifically Irving, one of his former coaches from Roman Catholic who joined the staff in April. Check out those quotes at the link below, and enjoy some highlights of one of Team Final’s games on Saturday.

[Zags Blog]