Nick Jourdain: Memphis’ Reliable Energy Source

When you bring in such a heralded class from the transfer portal like Memphis did this off-season, there tend to be some additions that go overlooked. A perfect example is junior transfer Nick Jourdain, who joins Memphis from Temple. He aims to bring the Tigers a combination of experience and energy at the forward position.

Time at Temple

Over the past two seasons, Jourdain has been a regular starter for the Owls. One of his key strengths is rebounding. He consistently displays effort and crashes the glass on both ends of the floor. Last season, he finished fourth in the AAC in offensive rebounds. Notably, in a game against Memphis last season, Jourdain delivered his best performance, recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

On the defensive side, Jourdain was a reliable presence, leading his team in total blocks with an average of 1.09 per game. Furthermore, while he may not be your go-to player for high-scoring nights, he plays his role effectively. The Temple transfer, however, is an efficient scorer. Jourdain was second among rotation regulars for the Owls, with a mark of 50% from the floor. Most of his points come from well-executed lob passes or hook shots, but he has also shown flashes of outside shooting ability.

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Jourdain’s Role at Memphis

After a long and anxiety-inducing offseason for Tiger faithful, it’s worth noting that Jourdain was the first player from the portal to commit to Memphis. Drawing parallels to last season when Elijah McCadden was the initial commitment, I anticipate them assuming similar roles. While their size and positions differ, Jourdain is poised to be a glue guy, consistently making the right plays for Memphis. If the NCAA rules DeAndre Williams ineligible, I expect Jourdain to play about 15-25 minutes per game.

Hardaway’s lineup options this year are diverse, with numerous potential combinations. When the Tigers need defensive stops, expect Jourdain to earn crucial minutes. He’s an ideal player to energize the team off the bench, making an impact on both ends of the floor.