Class of 2019 IU recruiting target Lester Quinones commits to Memphis
Class of 2019 IMG Academy (Fla.) guard Lester Quinones, who took an official visit to Indiana last month, committed to Memphis on Friday.
The Tigers, who are entering their second season under coach Penny Hardaway, bolstered what was already one of the nation’s top recruiting classes with the addition of Quinones.
In an interview with Rivals.com, Quinones cited his relationship with Hardaway as a major factor in his decision:
“I feel like they have the best opportunity of making me into the best pro that I can be. Having Mike Miller, Sam Mitchell and Penny Hardaway, it is nothing but positives,” he said. “Those guys can really develop my game and playing with James (Wiseman) can be really scary to anyone having to guard the two-man game. We have a chance to be a very special team if we land the players that Penny is going towards and the plays that are there now.”
The 6-foot-5 guard is considered one of the nation’s top shooters and is the No. 56 player nationally according to the 247Sports. He also considered Maryland, Michigan and LSU.
Quinones is the second guard this spring that took an official visit to Indiana, but opted to commit elsewhere. The Hoosiers also hosted Paul VI Catholic (Va.) guard Anthony Harris last month before he chose North Carolina.
Indiana still has two scholarships open for next season, but it is unclear where the Hoosiers might turn next to fill out the roster.
Indiana is losing Romeo Langford to the NBA draft and Juwan Morgan and Evan Fitzner to graduation. Clifton Moore (La Salle) and Jake Forrester (Temple) both transferred.
IU’s 2019 recruiting class includes Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis and Indiana All-Star Armaan Franklin. Butler graduate transfer Joey Brunk also signed with the program last month.
The Hoosiers finished last season 19-16 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament in Archie Miller’s second season.
Filed to: Lester Quinones