Memphis picks up the talents of David Nickelberry
Windermere, FL
While luring top shelf talent to Memphis’ campus has never been much of an issue, the need for postseason success has been clamored for by the Tigers fan base. Upon the hiring of Tubby Smith this past summer, the staff at the AAC program have seen recent success on the recruiting front, the latest coming in the form of David Nickelberry.
A long and slender bodied wing from the state of Florida, Nickelberry brings a few unique traits to the playing floor. The lefty is one of the best passers in all of America from the 2017 class and is someone that creates major matchup issues due to his size and playmaking abilities.
Standing near 6-foot-7, Nickelberry does have to improve his jumper where it is the missing piece to rounding out his overall skillset. However, he has put in some time in recent months on his physical stature, packing on solid muscle mass that he uses his in keeping his line on the attack to the basket. Furthermore, the Windermere Prep star has become a much better athlete at the basket as he can elevate quickly for the dunk attempt and also seems a bit quicker from off of the first step from off of the perimeter.
Entering the new college basketball season, the Lawson brothers will be relied upon heavily from the get-go at Memphis. However, once Nickelberry enters the fold next winter, the potential early loss of Dedric Lawson will be felt immediately, something that the Sunshine State native could help lessen due to his versatility and broad range of production skills on the hardwood.
The second commitment in the 2017 class for the new staff at Memphis, Nickelberry joins another mix and match type of recruit in Jamal Johnson, a 6-foot-3 guard that can play either spot in the backcourt. The next step for Tubby Smith and crew will landing a piece or two in the frontcourt where they remain very thin at the time being and should have even greater needs down low with the pending graduation of transfer big man Chad Rykhoek.
