Penny Hardaway: Jury is still out on whether Memphis early enrollee Jordan Nesbitt will play this season

The Memphis basketball team welcomed 4-star signee Jordan Nesbitt Tuesday. 

Nesbitt, a 6-foot-6 guard who committed to the Tigers in October and signed in November, began his senior season at St. Louis Christian Academy last fall.

A source told The Commercial Appeal Tuesday both coaching staffs agreed it was in Nesbitt's best interest to enroll early. The source requested anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

Coach Penny Hardaway said Wednesday Nesbitt will have to go through the standard COVID-19 testing protocol before physically joining the team and taking part in practices and team activities. Nesbitt is eligible to play for the Tigers, but whether he will has not yet been determined. 

“We did not have plans for him to play during the season,” Hardaway said. “That could change at any time. We just don’t know about that yet. If that comes to a point to where he’s going to feel comfortable enough to say, you know, ‘I want to play,’ or, if we say, ‘Hey, we need you. We see you’re looking good, you’ve caught on to everything,’ then, maybe we’ll get to that point then.”

Nesbitt is the 56th-ranked Class of 2021 recruit in the nation, according to 247 Sports Composite rankings. He averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds a game as a junior. He played in 10 games for SLCA before enrolling at Memphis, averaging 16.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. 

“I would describe myself as a bucket-getter,” Nesbitt told The Commercial Appeal last August. “But someone who can also make sure he gets his teammates involved as well. (Someone who brings) a lot of energy. Bringing that dog to the floor. That’s my type of game. Willing to do things that other guys don’t want to do.”

Memphis (6-5, 2-2 AAC) has struggled scoring points this season. The Tigers are averaging 70.7 points per game and rank 153rd in adjusted offensive efficiency. 

If Nesbitt – who turned 19 on Oct. 1 – plays this season, it will not count against his NCAA eligibility. Last October, the NCAA approved an extra year of eligibility for all winter sports participants due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whether he plays or not, Hardaway believes having Nesbitt enroll early is a win-win for everyone involved. 

“It’s going to be good for him to get around campus, get this half of a year in to see what it’s like,” Hardaway said. “The style, the energy, our game plans. Hear the verbiage and the language. Get to know teammates.”

Casey Autenrieth, who coached Nesbitt at St. Louis Christian Academy, told The Commercial Appeal last year that there's a lot to like about Nesbitt's game. 

“Elite court vision,” Autenrieth begins. “High basketball IQ. Can score from all three levels. Very physical player. High motor guy. Plays with a ‘dog’ mentality. He shoots the ball really well. Very good coming off ball screens. He makes other people around him better. High-level rebounder. He’s able to grab the ball off the board and start the break.”

Should Nesbitt be inserted into a game this season, Hardaway said he's unsure what role he might play. 

“I think that’ll be judged from his play when he starts practicing with us,” he said. “Just to see where his level is and his understanding. He might could play some point. He probably could play some two. We don’t know yet.”

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