Tiger fans will be left to wonder what might have been with swingman Jelan Kendrick. After numerous disciplinary issues over his first few weeks as a college basketball player, Kendrick was dismissed from the team permanently this afternoon.
In a press release, coach Josh Pastner said, “After meeting with Jelan today, we decided it was best that we part ways. We are grateful and thankful for his time with the Memphis program, and we wish him all the best.”
Kendrick arrived on the U of M campus as a member of one of the most heralded recruiting classes in the country, a consensus top-20 recruit who promised versatility on the wing and explosive athleticism (not unlike fellow recruit Will Barton, who made his Tiger debut Friday night in a win over Centenary). But according to numerous sources, Kendrick showed a quick temper and allowed minor conflicts — even with teammates — to escalate into major disputes.
His dismissal, in some respects, makes Pastner’s job easier, as the Tiger roster is packed with players hungry for minutes on the court. Consider 20 to 25 minutes per game now up for grabs.
