University of Memphis Athletics
Hardaway Lands Trio of Memphis Natives in Freshmen Smith Jr., Jackson Jr., and Pounds
Jun 01, 2026 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis men's basketball head coach Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway announced Monday the signing of Memphis natives Fred Smith Jr., Cello Jackson Jr. and Parker Pounds as part of the Tigers' 2026 recruiting class.
"We're thrilled to welcome Fred, Cello and Parker to the Tiger Basketball family," Hardaway said. "It was a priority for us to keep elite local talent at home and bring their passion and energy to FedExForum. We're excited about the foundation they'll help build and what that means for the future of Memphis basketball."
Smith Jr., a four-star recruit and consensus top 100 prospect nationally, is a two-time Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-AA Mr. Basketball honoree. The Briarcrest Christian School standout led the Saints to state championships in 2024 and 2026 and finished his prep career with more than 1,900 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists.
The 6-foot-7 small forward established himself as one of the premier basketball prospects in the country in the Class of 2026. The versatile small forward is ranked among the nation's top 100 recruits by multiple services, including No. 84 nationally by ESPN's SC Next 100, where he is also rated as the No. 32 small forward in the class and the No. 2 prospect in Tennessee. Prep Hoops ranked Smith No. 50 nationally, highlighting his unique combination of size, strength, ball-handling ability, and shot creation. Smith was also rated in the top 100 by 247Sports (No. 88) and On3's Rivals Industry rankings (No. 93).
Jackson Jr. brings a championship pedigree, earning titles in multiple states during his prep career. The Memphis native won a state championship at First Assembly Christian School as a sophomore before transferring to Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where he captured back-to-back Florida state titles. He was part of a championship squad alongside Cameron and Cayden Boozer during his time at Columbus.
A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Jackson Jr. is known for his versatility and defensive ability, with the capability to guard multiple positions. He plays with a high motor and excels at attacking the rim. Jackson Jr. has been rated as high as a four-star prospect and currently ranks among the top-170 players nationally in the 2026 class.
Pounds, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, was a teammate of Smith Jr. at Briarcrest Christian School the past two seasons. One of the top perimeter shooters in the class, Pounds connected on 48.7 percent of his 304 attempts from three-point range, helping lead the Saints to a state championship. A two-time first-team All-West Region selection, he also shot 86 percent from the free throw line over his final two prep seasons.
The trio of freshmen join returners Julius Thedford and William Whorton as well as the transfer class of Luke Almodovar, Brandin Cummings, Jerry Deng, Josh Holloway, Maxim Logue, Jayden Reid, Rihards Vavers, Corneilous Williams, and Tylik Weeks.
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.
"We're thrilled to welcome Fred, Cello and Parker to the Tiger Basketball family," Hardaway said. "It was a priority for us to keep elite local talent at home and bring their passion and energy to FedExForum. We're excited about the foundation they'll help build and what that means for the future of Memphis basketball."
Smith Jr., a four-star recruit and consensus top 100 prospect nationally, is a two-time Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-AA Mr. Basketball honoree. The Briarcrest Christian School standout led the Saints to state championships in 2024 and 2026 and finished his prep career with more than 1,900 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists.
The 6-foot-7 small forward established himself as one of the premier basketball prospects in the country in the Class of 2026. The versatile small forward is ranked among the nation's top 100 recruits by multiple services, including No. 84 nationally by ESPN's SC Next 100, where he is also rated as the No. 32 small forward in the class and the No. 2 prospect in Tennessee. Prep Hoops ranked Smith No. 50 nationally, highlighting his unique combination of size, strength, ball-handling ability, and shot creation. Smith was also rated in the top 100 by 247Sports (No. 88) and On3's Rivals Industry rankings (No. 93).
Jackson Jr. brings a championship pedigree, earning titles in multiple states during his prep career. The Memphis native won a state championship at First Assembly Christian School as a sophomore before transferring to Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where he captured back-to-back Florida state titles. He was part of a championship squad alongside Cameron and Cayden Boozer during his time at Columbus.
A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Jackson Jr. is known for his versatility and defensive ability, with the capability to guard multiple positions. He plays with a high motor and excels at attacking the rim. Jackson Jr. has been rated as high as a four-star prospect and currently ranks among the top-170 players nationally in the 2026 class.
Pounds, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, was a teammate of Smith Jr. at Briarcrest Christian School the past two seasons. One of the top perimeter shooters in the class, Pounds connected on 48.7 percent of his 304 attempts from three-point range, helping lead the Saints to a state championship. A two-time first-team All-West Region selection, he also shot 86 percent from the free throw line over his final two prep seasons.
The trio of freshmen join returners Julius Thedford and William Whorton as well as the transfer class of Luke Almodovar, Brandin Cummings, Jerry Deng, Josh Holloway, Maxim Logue, Jayden Reid, Rihards Vavers, Corneilous Williams, and Tylik Weeks.
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.
Players Mentioned
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