Big men still available

Memphis has filled most of its roster for the 2026-27 season, but they’re still lacking size in the frontcourt. Penny Hardaway picked up a commitment from Corneilous Williams on Friday, but the Tigers could use more size and rebounding help with their remaining openings. 

Memphis hosted Matt Mbole earlier in the week, but he committed to UAB on Sunday after visiting the Blazers on Friday and Saturday. The Tigers have two roster spots available, and it will be interesting to see where they turn to fill those spots.

Here is a look at nine options that Memphis could look for frontcourt support. Memphis has been in contact with a couple of the listed players, but most are just players available in the transfer portal.

Khaman Maker (DePaul)

Maker is a 7-foot-1 center who spent last season at DePaul. He appeared in only 12 games last season, and he averaged 1.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game.

According to The Portal Report, the Tigers showed interest in Maker in April, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they check back in with the big man. Maker has three seasons of eligibility remaining and has shown a lot of upside.

Aly Tounkara (Arkansas State)

Tounkara started his career at Lindenwood before transferring to Arkansas State for his sophomore season. He averaged 4.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and a block in 18.2 minutes per game for the Red Wolves.

It was reported that Memphis was interested in the 7-footer in late April, but The Commercial Appeal’s Jason Munz reported on Saturday that the Tigers haven’t contacted Tounkara in two weeks. It’ll be interesting to see if Hardaway’s staff gets more involved after missing on Mbole.

Papa Amadou Kante (Pitt)

Amadou Kante spent the last two seasons at Pitt, but he appeared in only eight games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. In the eight games he appeared in, Amadou Kante averaged 2.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. 

It hasn’t been reported that Memphis has shown interest in the 6-foot-10 forward, but he does have a relationship with Brandin Cummings, who signed with the Tigers earlier in the offseason. The big man hasn’t shown much offensively, but he could add some rebounding. 

Mason Nicholson

Nicholson started his career at Jacksonville State, where he played three seasons, before transferring to Vanderbilt ahead of last season. With the Commodores, Nicholson played in only five games, averaging 0.4 points and a rebound in 20 total minutes, but he averaged 7.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in his final season with Jacksonville State.

The Tigers haven’t shown interest in the big man, but at 6-foot-9 and 307 pounds, he could be a nice addition to the frontcourt.

Stephen Osei (Kansas State)

Osei spent last season at Kansas State but only appeared in three games. Prior to joining the Wildcats, Osei spent a season at JUCO Casper College, where he averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per game.

Being at Kansas State last season, Osei has a relationship with Memphis’ new strength and conditioning coach, Phil Baier.

Conrad Luczynski (Lenoir-Rhyne)

Luczynski is a wild card because he has spent the last two seasons at the Division-II level. The 7-foot-2 center appeared in 35 games last season and averaged 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 24.5 minutes per game.

Luczynski is an experienced big man and shot 65.6 percent from the field last season, but it’s unclear if his game would translate to the Division-I level. Memphis has yet to show interest in the big man.

Tiefing Diawara

Diawara spent his freshman season at Syracuse, but he only appeared in four games, averaging 2.3 minutes per game. The center is 7-foot and 240 pounds, and he will likely have four years of eligibility remaining. 

Chin Hanson (JUCO)

Memphis tried the JUCO round with Mbole, and they could try to recruit another JUCO center. Hanson spent last season at Highland Community College and averaged 14.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in 30 games.

Hanson was ranked the No. 39 JUCO player, according to JucoRecruiting.com, and will have at least three years of eligibility remaining.

International Options

Hardaway went the international route last season to get Simon Majok, and he could look internationally again this offseason. There are plenty of options for international bigs, but the Tigers’ staff would have to find the right fit to bring over and add to the team.