Memphis is building a power program through local recruits

Josh Pastner had a boundless energy and an innate ability to connect with players when Memphis hired the then 31-year-old to replace John Calpari in 2009. What Pastner didn’t have -- and what no one does -- is Calipari’s unprecedented national recruiting prowess, a doorway to helping the Tigers land players like Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Pennsylvania’s Tyreke Evans. Pastner had to do it a different way, and on the precipice of his sixth season at Memphis, his plan is starting to ring through loud and clear.

Tennessee is rarely thought of as a hoops hotbed on the level of Dallas, Chicago or southern California, but over the last decade the state has produced some great talents. It’s given Pastner a definable plan in recruiting: sell local players on a chance to stay home while still playing in an NBA arena, the FedEx Forum. If Pastner hasn’t fully replenished the talent level to where Cal left it, he’s on the verge of doing so with what has the potential to be one of the three best recruiting classes in the nation in 2015.

Pastner’s decision to hire Keelon Lawson, the Memphis-based father of three highly-touted recruits, drew national attention for both its savvy and shamelessness, but an under-the-radar bit of housekeeping involving the Lawson family has the program set up to make a splash. The hiring of the eldest Lawson coincided with commitments from sons K.J. and Dedric, the former a top-50 player in 2015, the latter a top-15 player in 2016. Last week, Dedric announced he’s reclassifying to 2015, giving Memphis a major recruit a year earlier as well as another bargaining chip for what might be Pastner’s biggest fish yet.

Skal Labissiere might have more NBA potential than any player in the class of 2015. He’s been based in the Memphis area since arriving in the United States after surviving the horrific earthquake in Haiti, and Pastner’s Tigers are presumed to be the leaders for him. It’s far from a done deal at this point with Kentucky, North Carolina and others making a late charge, but if Pastner can get the job done, there might not be a recruiting class around better than his.

Does having both Lawsons in place make Memphis more appealing to Labissiere? It’s certainly possible. If it happens, Memphis could have something close to an entirely homegrown starting lineup in place.

Securing local recruits like the Lawsons and going hard after another one in Labissiere isn’t the start of a trend for Memphis, it’s the continuation of one. Pastner has left an imprint all over the city’s fertile recruiting grounds, turning Memphis into what is truly a hometown program.

Nichols was the big get for Pastner in the class of 2013 as a 6’8 power forward from Collierville, Tenn., ranked No. 15 overall by ESPN. He hit double-figures in scoring in seven of his final nine games last season, and will be tasked with holding down the four spot full-time this year next to Goodwin.

Labissiere’s path to the next level took another twist this week when he was denied a hardship waiver to transfer to another high school and now might miss his entire senior season. It’s an unfortunate if interesting development for a player who has spoken about openly considering a jump to the professional leagues of Europe instead of a pit stop in college. After so much turmoil, the familiarity of Pastner and Memphis -- who have been recruiting him before anyone else -- might be Labissiere’s best bet.

The Tigers were led by four senior guards last season, so this year was always bound to be a transition season. Nichols and Goodwin should assume a starring role up front, while the backcourt will start a pair of players Pastner convinced to redshirt as freshman. If this isn’t the season Pastner finally breaks into the Sweet 16 and beyond, Memphis fans can be comforted to know the program is only trending upward. All it took was a little home cooking.