University of Memphis Athletics
Transfer Teafale Lenard Jr. Joins Tigers
Apr 15, 2023 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS – Memphis men's basketball and head coach Penny Hardaway officially announced Saturday the signing of in-state transfer Teafale Lenard Jr. to the Tigers for the 2023-24 season.
Lenard comes to Memphis after playing the last two seasons at Middle Tennessee and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
"Teafale is one of the most versatile two-way players in the country and will thrive in our pressure-filled, fast-paced style of play," Hardaway said. "He is a phenomenal athlete who is always in attack-mode and plays with a relentless motor and has the ability to change games on both ends of the floor.
"His unselfishness and team-first mentality are a perfect fit within our Memphis Tiger basketball culture."
The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a sophomore for the Blue Raiders in 2022-23. He also tied his own program record with 50 dunks.
Perhaps the area the Tigers are most excited about is his game-changing ability on the defensive end where he totaled 12 games this past season with multiple blocks and multiple steals – the most in all of Division I.
Lenard also racked up 61 blocks, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history, and ended his Blue Raider career fourth on the school's career blocks list with 119, despite playing just two seasons. His 1.9 blocks per game total ranked 33rd in the country this season.
He also swiped 53 steals and finished eighth in the conference with 1.61 swipes each time out. Lenard's defensive play landed him a spot on the Conference USA All-Defensive Team and an Honorable Mention All-Conference nod.
In February, ESPN's Jonathan Givony tabbed the high-flying Lenard as the 48th overall pick in his 2024 mock draft.
The Snyder, Texas product played his prep career at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri and initially committed to American Athletic Conference member Tulsa before signing with Middle Tennessee.
Lenard has been known for his high-flying dunks, athleticism and rim protection since arriving at Middle Tennessee.
In his two years in Murfreesboro, Lenard appeared in 70 games with 35 starts, averaging 23.8 minutes per game. He shot 52.2 percent from the floor (215-412) while averaging 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds. 1.7 blocks, 1.2 steals and 1.1 assists.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Lenard comes to Memphis after playing the last two seasons at Middle Tennessee and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
"Teafale is one of the most versatile two-way players in the country and will thrive in our pressure-filled, fast-paced style of play," Hardaway said. "He is a phenomenal athlete who is always in attack-mode and plays with a relentless motor and has the ability to change games on both ends of the floor.
"His unselfishness and team-first mentality are a perfect fit within our Memphis Tiger basketball culture."
The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a sophomore for the Blue Raiders in 2022-23. He also tied his own program record with 50 dunks.
Perhaps the area the Tigers are most excited about is his game-changing ability on the defensive end where he totaled 12 games this past season with multiple blocks and multiple steals – the most in all of Division I.
Lenard also racked up 61 blocks, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history, and ended his Blue Raider career fourth on the school's career blocks list with 119, despite playing just two seasons. His 1.9 blocks per game total ranked 33rd in the country this season.
He also swiped 53 steals and finished eighth in the conference with 1.61 swipes each time out. Lenard's defensive play landed him a spot on the Conference USA All-Defensive Team and an Honorable Mention All-Conference nod.
In February, ESPN's Jonathan Givony tabbed the high-flying Lenard as the 48th overall pick in his 2024 mock draft.
The Snyder, Texas product played his prep career at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri and initially committed to American Athletic Conference member Tulsa before signing with Middle Tennessee.
Lenard has been known for his high-flying dunks, athleticism and rim protection since arriving at Middle Tennessee.
In his two years in Murfreesboro, Lenard appeared in 70 games with 35 starts, averaging 23.8 minutes per game. He shot 52.2 percent from the floor (215-412) while averaging 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds. 1.7 blocks, 1.2 steals and 1.1 assists.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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