In a stunning development on the recruiting trail, four-star forward Jamari Collins has officially flipped his commitment from the Duke Blue Devils to the Memphis Grizzlies’ professional development program. The decision marks another major shift in the high school-to-pro pipeline, with Memphis continuing to gain traction as a serious alternative to traditional college basketball.
Collins, a 6-foot-8 athletic forward from Atlanta, Georgia, had been committed to Duke since late last year and was expected to be a cornerstone in Jon Scheyer’s 2025 recruiting class. However, after several months of evaluation and conversations with mentors, Collins opted to decommit and instead pursue a direct path toward the NBA with the Grizzlies’ newly launched player development initiative.
“This was not an easy decision,” Collins said in a statement. “Duke is a great school with a legendary program, and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. But after looking at all the options and talking it over with my family, I felt that the Memphis program would prepare me best for the next level.”
The Memphis Grizzlies’ development program—modeled after the NBA G League Ignite and Overtime Elite—has become an increasingly attractive destination for top high school prospects who want to train in a professional setting, earn early compensation, and receive personalized development geared specifically toward the NBA Draft.
Grizzlies officials praised Collins’ decision, calling him a “game-changing athlete” and a “high-upside prospect” who fits perfectly into their vision.
“Jamari is exactly the kind of player we want to build around,” said a team development representative. “He’s a competitor, a leader, and someone who’s committed to working on his craft every single day.”
For Duke, the loss of Collins is undoubtedly a blow. While the Blue Devils still boast a strong recruiting class, losing a versatile two-way forward with Collins’ upside this late in the process forces Scheyer and his staff to reassess their roster strategy for 2025. Sources close to the program say Duke was “caught off guard” by the flip but remains confident in its ability to attract other elite talent.
Meanwhile, Collins’ move is seen as another win for the growing trend of high school stars bypassing college altogether. As NIL opportunities and pro-style development programs expand, more recruits are expected to consider similar options.
As for Collins, he’s ready to get to work.
“I want to compete, learn, and grow into the best player I can be,” he said. “This is my dream, and I’m chasing it full speed.”
With his commitment now official, Jamari Collins becomes one of the headlining names in the Grizzlies’ player development future—and potentially, a future NBA star in the making.