Pastner keeps local talent at home
By: Joseph Russell
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Sports
Jackson was the first to stay, announcing his decision outside the Larry O. Finch Center on campus in September.
"I wanted to stay in the city and be part of the Memphis tradition," he said.
Then came Crawford.
His decision came down to Memphis and Tennessee. Stay at home or travel across the state?
"I just didn't want to leave home," he said at a press conference in October. "I felt like I'd be good here in Memphis."
Black put the cherry on top for Pastner just days ago when he signed with The U of M instead of Alabama, Florida, Marquette or Tennessee.
"There was something about Memphis that I couldn't leave," he said. "I just felt it in my heart that this is where I should be."
Three top-50 players in the country, three Memphians, three who chose to stay.
It's a sign of things to come for U of M basketball.
We've all heard the stories of Larry Finch and Keith Lee - both who took the Tigers to separate Final Four appearances in 1973 and 1985. Both were Memphians who could have played anywhere in the country but decided to stay home.
Then came Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Lorenzen Wright in the early 1990's.
People remember the names Andre Turner and William Bedford. There was Cedric Henderson and Vincent Askew. Shawne Williams and Antonio Burks.
The program used to be built on local talent, before the lure of national one-and-done players sucked the Tigers in. It seems Pastner has brought the program full circle.
Local kids are starting to stay at home again.
The program will get back to recruiting local players.
Though my decision to come to The U of M wasn't a popular choice at the time, Pastner has made staying in Memphis the cool thing to do.
"I wanted to stay in the city and be part of the Memphis tradition," he said.
Then came Crawford.
His decision came down to Memphis and Tennessee. Stay at home or travel across the state?
"I just didn't want to leave home," he said at a press conference in October. "I felt like I'd be good here in Memphis."
Black put the cherry on top for Pastner just days ago when he signed with The U of M instead of Alabama, Florida, Marquette or Tennessee.
"There was something about Memphis that I couldn't leave," he said. "I just felt it in my heart that this is where I should be."
Three top-50 players in the country, three Memphians, three who chose to stay.
It's a sign of things to come for U of M basketball.
We've all heard the stories of Larry Finch and Keith Lee - both who took the Tigers to separate Final Four appearances in 1973 and 1985. Both were Memphians who could have played anywhere in the country but decided to stay home.
Then came Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Lorenzen Wright in the early 1990's.
People remember the names Andre Turner and William Bedford. There was Cedric Henderson and Vincent Askew. Shawne Williams and Antonio Burks.
The program used to be built on local talent, before the lure of national one-and-done players sucked the Tigers in. It seems Pastner has brought the program full circle.
Local kids are starting to stay at home again.
The program will get back to recruiting local players.
Though my decision to come to The U of M wasn't a popular choice at the time, Pastner has made staying in Memphis the cool thing to do.