Memphis basketball recruiting: Jai Smith says Penny Hardaway compared him to a former Tigers star

Jai Smith is a happy-go-lucky teenager naturally.

But he was in an especially good mood Tuesday. A passionate devotee of NBA 2K — a popular video game series — Smith was still engrossed in the demo release of the 2021 installment, which dropped less than 24 hours earlier.

Smith said that was only part of his big Monday. A 6-foot-9 Class of 2022 wing, he also got an offer from Memphis, delivered over the phone by coach Penny Hardaway. That was not lost on Smith, whose favorite customized lineup on his favorite video game features a certain Memphis native at point guard.

“I don’t really know Penny from YouTube like a lot of people my age,” said Smith, adding the Tigers have scheduled a Zoom call with him for Thursday. “I’ve been playing with him, I’d say, for about three years. I use a lot of other people, too, like (Michael Jordan). I’ve got a squad. But (Hardaway) starts at point guard on my team.”

Smith, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, will suit up for Bull City Prep (Durham) this season after transferring from St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Connecticut). He is a three-star prospect ranked No. 199 in the most recent 247 Sports Composite rankings. He holds offers from Alabama, Arizona, Houston, VCU, Xavier, Ole Miss and Rutgers, among others. Smith said he’s also hearing more from the likes of Florida, Florida State, Texas Tech, Clemson and Wake Forest.

RECRUITING:Memphis basketball recruit Langston Wilson never gave up on his dreams. His perseverance is paying off.

Smith, who played for Bishop Ludden in Syracuse before spending the 2019-20 season at St. Thomas More, has already reclassified once and has not ruled out moving back into the 2021 class. He has already developed a reputation as a hard-nosed rebounder and defender. Since the coronavirus pandemic left grassroots programs scrambling in late spring, Smith (who had been a member of Albany City Rocks on the EYBL circuit) returned to his home state and began working with upstart AAU program Tea Marie Hoops.

Ahmad Thomas, a member of the Tea Marie Hoops coaching staff, likens Smith to a “baby Montrezl Harrell,” referring to the 6-8, 240-pound Los Angeles Clippers power forward.

“I call him raw because everything he does is natural,” Thomas said. “He’s athletic. He brings energy. He’s tough. Just gritty. He played through two chipped teeth this summer. He’s different. He’s hungry. He’s OK with guarding the point guard and getting back and contesting and boxing out.”

The work Hardaway saw out of Smith this summer reminded him of someone else he initially viewed as a raw prospect with an extremely high ceiling.

RECRUITING:4-star prospect Josh Minott commits to Memphis

“He compares me to (reigning AAC Player of the Year) Precious Achiuwa, like, a lot, a lot,” Smith said. “Body type. I’m able to shoot, dribble. I’m active and athletic rim-to-rim. Mostly those things. He was telling me how he liked me just being me.”

Smith, who has family members who live near Memphis, isn’t intrigued by the Tigers solely because of Hardaway.

“Memphis is a great school,” he said, noting he could wait until next spring before making a decision. “It’s a great program with Penny and all, but also seeing what they did with (James) Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa — working with them and developing them. I like Memphis a lot.”

The Tigers have one Class of 2022 commitment in point guard Arterio Morris.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.