University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers Add Length with Signing of Transfers Deng and Weeks
May 01, 2026 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis men's basketball head coach Penny Hardaway added two more pieces to the Tigers' 2026-27 roster Friday with the addition of forward Jerry Deng and combo guard/small forward Tylik Weeks.
Deng, a 6-foot-9 forward from Rochester, New York, joins Memphis after spending the 2025–26 season at NC State. During his time with the Wolfpack, Deng appeared in eight games, totaling 49 points (6.1 ppg) and 17 rebounds while shooting 85.7 percent from the free-throw line. His season was highlighted by a 14-point performance in 22 minutes against Texas Southern, showcasing his versatility in the frontcourt.
Prior to his time in Raleigh, Deng spent his sophomore season at Florida State. As a Seminole, he appeared in 31 games with two starts, averaging 7.0 points per game. Deng proved to be a consistent perimeter threat, shooting 37 percent from three-point range and 43 percent from the field. He posted 10 double-figure scoring performances, highlighted by a season-high 16 points against North Carolina.
Deng began his collegiate career with a standout freshman season at Hampton University. He averaged 10.1 points per game in 33 appearances, including 11 starts, and recorded 15 double-figure scoring games. His career-best performance came against Mary Baldwin, scoring 37 points on 15-of-19 shooting and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Deng also demonstrated his rebounding ability while with the Pirates, pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds against North Carolina A&T. A graduate of Norcross High School, Deng scored 14 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and recorded two blocks to help secure the Georgia 7A state championship.
Weeks, a 6-foot-7 small forward with combo guard skills, comes to Memphis following the 2025–26 season at Southern Miss, where he led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring at 19.7 points per game, ranking in the top 40 nationally. A native of New York City, Weeks was a dynamic scorer for the Eagles reaching double figures in 32 of 34 games, eclipsing the 30-point mark on four occasions. He earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors after ranking second on his team in free-throw percentage at just over 82 percent, drawing nearly 7.8 free-throw attempts per game. Weeks all-round game was on full display for the Eagles averaging 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while chipping in 32 steals.
Prior to Southern Miss, Weeks spent two seasons at Southwest Mississippi Community College, finishing his career as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,128 points. During his sophomore campaign, Weeks averaged 21 points per game while adding 8.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He was named All-Region 23 and First Team All-MACCC and was tabbed the No. 26 junior college prospect in the country.
As a freshman at Southwest Mississippi CC, Weeks started 28 games and ranked second on the team with averages of 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, while contributing 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. His all-around play earned him MACCC Second Team All-Conference honors, and he was named a Fab 50 Freshman.
Weeks selected Memphis over Ole Miss while having additional interest from Baylor, TCU, South Carolina, UCF and UCLA.
Deng and Weeks join a 2026 transfer class that already includes standout guards Brandin Cummings and Luke Almodovar, along with forward Rihards Vavers.
Deng, a 6-foot-9 forward from Rochester, New York, joins Memphis after spending the 2025–26 season at NC State. During his time with the Wolfpack, Deng appeared in eight games, totaling 49 points (6.1 ppg) and 17 rebounds while shooting 85.7 percent from the free-throw line. His season was highlighted by a 14-point performance in 22 minutes against Texas Southern, showcasing his versatility in the frontcourt.
Prior to his time in Raleigh, Deng spent his sophomore season at Florida State. As a Seminole, he appeared in 31 games with two starts, averaging 7.0 points per game. Deng proved to be a consistent perimeter threat, shooting 37 percent from three-point range and 43 percent from the field. He posted 10 double-figure scoring performances, highlighted by a season-high 16 points against North Carolina.
Deng began his collegiate career with a standout freshman season at Hampton University. He averaged 10.1 points per game in 33 appearances, including 11 starts, and recorded 15 double-figure scoring games. His career-best performance came against Mary Baldwin, scoring 37 points on 15-of-19 shooting and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Deng also demonstrated his rebounding ability while with the Pirates, pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds against North Carolina A&T. A graduate of Norcross High School, Deng scored 14 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and recorded two blocks to help secure the Georgia 7A state championship.
Weeks, a 6-foot-7 small forward with combo guard skills, comes to Memphis following the 2025–26 season at Southern Miss, where he led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring at 19.7 points per game, ranking in the top 40 nationally. A native of New York City, Weeks was a dynamic scorer for the Eagles reaching double figures in 32 of 34 games, eclipsing the 30-point mark on four occasions. He earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors after ranking second on his team in free-throw percentage at just over 82 percent, drawing nearly 7.8 free-throw attempts per game. Weeks all-round game was on full display for the Eagles averaging 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while chipping in 32 steals.
Prior to Southern Miss, Weeks spent two seasons at Southwest Mississippi Community College, finishing his career as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,128 points. During his sophomore campaign, Weeks averaged 21 points per game while adding 8.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He was named All-Region 23 and First Team All-MACCC and was tabbed the No. 26 junior college prospect in the country.
As a freshman at Southwest Mississippi CC, Weeks started 28 games and ranked second on the team with averages of 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, while contributing 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. His all-around play earned him MACCC Second Team All-Conference honors, and he was named a Fab 50 Freshman.
Weeks selected Memphis over Ole Miss while having additional interest from Baylor, TCU, South Carolina, UCF and UCLA.
Deng and Weeks join a 2026 transfer class that already includes standout guards Brandin Cummings and Luke Almodovar, along with forward Rihards Vavers.
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