Nicholas Jourdain hopes to return to Memphis basketball next season

Memphis basketball forward Nicholas Jourdain has expressed his intention to return to the Tigers for another season. The 6-foot-9 player from New Jersey shared the news during a postgame radio interview following Thursday’s 82-58 victory at East Carolina. Jourdain later confirmed his decision with The Commercial Appeal, stating, “Yeah, that’s the plan.”

This decision comes as a positive development for coach Penny Hardaway, who is navigating another offseason potentially marked by significant roster changes. Jourdain is among several current Tigers with remaining collegiate eligibility, including David Jones, Jayhlon Young, Jonathan Pierre, Carl Cherenfant, and Ashton Hardaway. However, with Jones, the AAC’s top scorer, possibly considering a professional career after the season and the uncertainty inherent in the transfer portal era, early decisions like Jourdain’s offer some stability amidst potential roster shifts.

During an appearance on Penny Hardaway’s weekly radio show on Monday, Nicholas Jourdain expressed his affection for Memphis basketball and the city itself. “I love being a Memphis basketball player,” he said. “I love playing for this city. I love the people of this city. They’ve been very kind to me. Showed me a lot of love. So, it’s been a lot of fun.”

Jourdain’s decision to return would be significant for Memphis, as he has been a key contributor this season. In 29 games, including 22 starts, the Temple transfer has averaged 6.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He ranks second on the team in blocked shots with 29 and boasts an impressive shooting percentage of 60.6%, including 42.1% from beyond the arc.

Reflecting on what drew him to the Tigers last offseason, Jourdain mentioned their fast-paced, unselfish style of play and their emphasis on movement without the ball. He felt his own skill set aligned well with the team’s approach and appreciated the vision Coach Penny shared for his potential impact.

In Thursday’s game against ECU, Jourdain showcased his scoring ability with 14 points and four rebounds, marking his highest-scoring performance since January 10th when he scored 18 points against UTSA. He has recorded eight double-digit scoring games this season and has scored eight or more points in five of the Tigers’ last seven games.

Memphis (21-8, 10-6 AAC) will face UAB (18-10, 10-5) at FedExForum on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CT, televised on ESPN2.