DeMatha Product and Top Transfer Earl Timberlake Leaving Miami for Memphis

Top transfer, DeMatha alum Earl Timberlake commits to Memphis originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Former DeMatha standout Earl Timberlake announced his commitment to play at Memphis next season, transferring out of the Miami Hurricanes program having played just seven games due to injury. 

Ankle and shoulder injuries hampered Timberlake's freshman season that was built with promise and hope to become an NBA first-round draft prospect. Now, he hopes to regain his stock with Memphis and coach Penny Hardaway. 

The 6-foot-6 small forward was 247Sports' No. 1 ranked recruit coming out of Maryland for the class of 2020 after four stellar seasons with DeMatha. Timberlake told ESPN's Jonathan Givony he was returning home to D.C. on Monday to nurse his shoulder injury, hoping to rehab for a month without surgery. 

Timerlake averaged 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the limited action he was healthy to play in 2020-21. The lefty also told ESPN he considered a homecoming to Georgetown, as well as Seton Hall, LSU, Providence and March Madness runners-up Gonzaga. 

With an impressive physique and NBA-level swingman playmaking abilities, Timberlake is more focused on helping the 2021 NIT Champions stay elite defensively after Hardaway's program finished the season ranked in the top 20 in opponent points per game. 

"I felt like I can learn a lot from [coach] Penny Hardaway -- all he's done in his career," Timberlake said to ESPN. "I like the way they defend, they have the No. 1-ranked defense in the country. I can add to that...They saw how Baylor defended in the national championship game. I think I can help them a lot on that side of the ball. They just want to win."

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