MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Tigers, under the guidance of head coach Penny Hardaway, officially announced on June 30, 2025, the addition of 7‑foot‑1 center Simon Majok from South Sudan to their 2025–26 men’s basketball roster . Majok joins an already deep and talented frontcourt, marking him as the 13th newcomer in a highly anticipated recruiting class .
International pedigree meets collegiate ambition
Majok brings substantial international experience, having spent the past three seasons developing in Serbia with KK Real Beograd, competing in the Serbian Prva Muška Regionalna Liga . Although age restrictions limited his play to just seven senior-level games in 2024–25, the 19‑year‑old made a significant impact on the court. Majok showcased dominance across multiple statistical categories, averaging 17.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals in 30.7 minutes per contest .
He also led the Serbian League in Performance Index Rating (PIR), posting an impressive 26.7 per game and a cumulative score of 187—ranking as the league’s top overall player in limited action . His standout performance came against BKK Radnicki, where he scored 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, blocked six shots, and posted a PIR of 43 on 13‑of‑17 shooting .
A natural fit for Hardaway’s frontcourt philosophy
Penny Hardaway has a reputation for valuing size and versatility in the paint. Majok’s rim protection and rebounding prowess align well with this philosophy . Standing at 7‑1 with a broad wingspan, he bolsters Memphis’s defensive presence and adds a potential interior scoring option.
Majok’s addition continues a trend of Memphis cultivating international talent. Like recent Memphis bigs such as Moussa Cisse, Majok provides an athletic, long‑limbed interior defender with growing offensive skills—traits that could unlock new dimensions to the Tigers’ play on both ends of the court.
Joining a historic recruiting class
Listed alongside Majok in the Tigers’ 2025‑26 freshmen fold is a hybrid of transfers and elite recruits: Daniel Vieira‑Tuck (from Overtime Elite), Quante Berry (Temple), Dug McDaniel (Kansas State), Aaron Bradshaw (Ohio State), Julius Thedford (Western Kentucky), and several others . The breadth of talent across both the perimeter and the frontcourt underscores the growing momentum behind Hardaway’s recruiting machine.
Outlook for next season
Majok’s integration into the program will be closely watched throughout summer workouts and preseason exhibitions. The key challenges will include acclimating to the faster pace of NCAA basketball, mastering defensive rotations, and adapting to Hardaway’s offensive system.
Success in these areas could yield immediate dividends. His shot‐blocking and rebounding could significantly shore up the Tigers’ paint defense—a critical area of focus given the losses of high‑scoring transfers and departing veterans from last season .
Bottom line
Simon Majok is a high‑ceiling recruit with rare size, international accolades, and tangible upside. His arrival signals Memphis’s renewed commitment to building a frontcourt that can dominate inside. As Majok refines his game under College basketball’s spotlight, he could emerge as one of the nation’s most intriguing international freshmen and a pivotal piece in Memphis’s 2025–26 campaign.