Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway has added junior college post player Bouna Kebe for the 2024-25 season.
Kebe’s commitment was first reported by Yuval Shaham, his name, image and likeness representative.
The move bolsters a Tigers’ roster that is somewhat light on depth. Kebe’s addition is expected to leave Hardaway with two open scholarships.
Kebe (6-8) spent last season at Gillette (Wyoming) College and played the 2022-23 season at Independence (Kansas) Community College. The native of Senegal averaged 11.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 28 games (15 starts) for the Pronghorns. In 31 games at Independence, he put up 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Kebe, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, also held an offer from Long Island.
Hardaway had the bulk of what figures to be his primary rotation on campus for the entirety of summer workouts. Guards Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty, Baraka Okojie, Colby Rogers and Jared Harris arrived in June, as did big men Dain Dainja, Moussa Cisse, Tyreek Smith and Nicholas Jourdain (the only scholarship player back from last season). Wing PJ Carter joined the mix in July.
Last month, Hardaway said summer workouts showed him he made the right moves in putting this roster together.
Bouna Kebe (2024, 6’10 G/F 🇸🇳) committed to the University Of Memphis.
Bouna journey is an inspiration.
Senegal ➡️ HS basketball (Lincoln Academy) ➡️ Juco (Independence, Gillette ) ➡️ Memphis.
Super excited to watch him in the next level! #JucoProduct pic.twitter.com/Zc66WJDrvG— Yuval Shaham (@yuval59) September 11, 2024
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“It’s gone really well, because we have a group of young men who get it,” he said. “They bring toughness. They buy in. There’s no bad body language. I haven’t had any of that. It’s just all about whatever we teach, they want to learn.”
The 2024-25 regular season tips off against Missouri (Nov. 4) at FedExForum.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Bouna Kebe: Memphis basketball, Penny Hardaway add juco transfer
