Rather than finishing his senior year at Montverde, Duren made a calculated business and developmental choice in August 2021. He reclassified to the high school class of 2021, effectively skipping his senior prep year to enroll at the University of Memphis at just 17 years old.
Playing under four-time NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway and Hall of Famer Larry Brown, Duren faced college players four to five years his senior. The physical transition barely slowed him. Over 29 games for the Memphis Tigers, he averaged 12.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, earning the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year award and first-team all-conference recognition.
Hardaway utilized Duren as a defensive release valve and short-roll playmaker. The Tigers reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, giving scouts an extended look at Duren's ability to process half-court reads under tournament pressure. That single collegiate campaign cemented his lottery-pick status for the 2022 NBA Draft.
