The Memphis basketball team lined up for a photo op just before tip-off inside the lively Palacio de los Deportes in the Dominican Republic in August.

Nick Jourdain, flashing a 1,000-watt smile, stood out because of his seemingly cheery disposition. Outwardly, Jourdain wasn’t bothered at all. Not by the stage. Not by the audience. Not by anything. But, beneath his radiant exterior, Jourdain was a bundle of nerves.

“Super nervous” is how he characterized it – and Jourdain wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I think it’s low-key important to be nervous,” he told The Commercial Appeal during that trip, between horseback rides with his new teammates and re-watching “Game of Thrones” with his girlfriend. “It puts you on your toes.”

So far, it’s working for Jourdain. The 6-foot-9 forward has already become one of the more pleasantly surprising developments on a team that includes a cadre of stars. The Temple transfer is one of 13 first-year Tigers. The thought was coach Penny Hardaway liked Jourdain’s size, athleticism and experience – all true. But some wondered whether Memphis took him to entice former Temple star Khalif Battle to suit up in the blue and grey.

While Battle wound up at Arkansas, Jourdain has surpassed most expectations. The New Jersey native parlayed a strong preseason (averaging 10 points and 6.2 rebounds in five exhibition games) into a starting spot for the Tigers. In two games (wins over Jackson State and Missouri), he is averaging 4.0 points and 5.0 rebounds.

“I love Nick,” said Hardaway, noting Jourdain averaged 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games against Memphis last season. “He always competed against us really well, and it wasn’t just because he scored. He rebounded, blocked shots, set screens, ran the floor hard every time. Always unselfish. That’s why I recruited him really hard.

“I knew he was a key guy.”

Nick Jourdain: Late-bloomer

Basketball did not come easy to Jourdain. Sure, he was a naturally gifted athlete with the smarts to match. But it wasn’t until he transferred to Immaculate Conception, a small school in Montclair, New Jersey, as a junior that he played his first varsity game.

“I think, initially, (basketball) was just a hobby,” said Jimmy Salmon, who was Jourdain's coach at Immaculate Conception.

Even then, the late-bloomer still hadn’t put it all together. But, by the time Jourdain’s senior season rolled around, his newfound dedication to the sport began paying off.

Salmon, after 30-plus years as a coach at various levels, is somewhat of a titan on the New Jersey basketball scene. He served as the longtime director of the N.J. Playaz, a high-profile AAU program, and was an assistant at Villanova for a time before settling into coaching high school. He said he has coached more than 20 McDonald’s All-Americans and more than 20 players who have gone on to play in the NBA.

“I don’t think it’s exaggeration to say Nick is top-10, as far as listening and being receptive to information,” said Salmon.

Betting on himself

But the interest from colleges did not come. Jourdain’s only offer, which was eventually pulled, after two years at Immaculate Conception was St. Peter’s.

Dissatisfied, Jourdain opted to spend a year at Covenant College Prep in Belmar, New Jersey, where he played for coach Ian Turnbull. In his first meeting with Jourdain, Turnbull immediately identified with the budding standout’s determination.

“People had walked away from Nick the summer that he came to me,” said Turnbull, who refers to Jourdain as one of his “basketball sons.” “When I sat down with Nick and his mom, he told me what he wanted: ‘I want them all to regret their decision.’

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“At the end of his time (at Covenant), he had close to 10 Division I offers.”

The right decision

Jourdain spent three seasons at Temple, averaging 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 74 career games. But, when the Owls relieved coach Aaron McKie of his duties, Jourdain considered it the perfect time for a new challenge.

As he surveyed the field of suitors, one stood out. Nothing that’s happened since Jourdain arrived at Memphis has made him second-guess his decision.

“I’m loving playing with these dudes,” he said. “And, the way we get up and down (plus) our aggression on defense – just being the aggressor (on both ends of the floor), it feels good.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Nick Jourdain became a pleasant surprise for Memphis basketball