Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the program's coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Memphis Tigers.
An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.
Scholarship chart
Seniors (5): PG Kedren Johnson, PG Ricky Tarrant, SF Trahson Burrell, SF Chris Hawkins, PF Shaq Goodwin
Juniors (2): SG Avery Woodson, PF Austin Nichols
Sophomores (1): SG Markel Crawford
Freshmen (5): PG Randall Broddie, PG Jeremiah Martin, SF K.J. Lawson, PF Dedric Lawson, C Nick Marshall
Possible early entry losses after next season: PF Austin Nichols
Available scholarships for 2016: Five (possibly six)
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: None
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Point guard, two wing shooters and scorers, multiple big men
Must-haves: PG Jaylen Fisher (No. 41 in ESPN 100, Team Thad), need to sign a big class
Targets: PF Edrice Adebayo (No. 8, Team Loaded NC), PG Dennis Smith Jr. (No. 4, Team Loaded NC), C Abdul Ado (No. 31, Georgia Stars), PG Jaylen Fisher (No. 41, Team Thad), PF Eric Curry (Arkansas Wings), SF Mario Kegler (No. 36, MBA Hoops), PF Sedee Keita (No. 83, We R 1), SF Micah Thomas (Team Thad), SG DeJon Jarreau (No. 60, Elfrid Payton Elite), SG Zach Norvell (No. 85, Mac Irvin Fire), PG Te'Jon Lucas (Milwaukee Spartans), PG Mike Bibby Jr. (Team Bibby), PG Charlie Moore (Mac Irvin Fire), PG Howard Washington (Albany City Rocks)
Summer Scenario
Memphis faces a crucial recruiting cycle in 2016, as the Tigers will lose five seniors -- and may face the early departure of post player Austin Nichols. As a result, Josh Pastner and his staff are going into the summer essentially looking for one player at every position. They are casting a wide net in terms of targets and will certainly trim that list after watching the prospects in July. Atop the wish list will be local point guard Jaylen Fisher. The Tigers have made him a priority for a couple of years. On the wings, expect Memphis to make a push for guys like Mario Kegler and Micah Thomas, a couple of big scorers on the perimeter. With Shaq Goodwin graduating and Nichols possibly leaving, the Tigers need to prioritize the interior and will go after a handful of skilled and productive big men.