Penny Hardaway identifies key roster needs for Memphis basketball, emphasizing the importance of acquiring big men and point guards. He expressed these needs during a recent event on April 22.
Key points
Penny Hardaway is the head coach of Memphis basketball.
He is looking to address specific roster needs.
The focus is on acquiring big men and point guards.
The comments were made on April 22.
The context was the Blue & Grey Cleanup Day event.
Mentioned in this story
Penny Hardaway
Memphis basketball
What Penny Hardaway said are Memphis basketball's top roster needs
But there are still some specific positional needs heâs looking to meet in short order.
âGotta get the bigs addressed and the (point guards),â the ninth-year coach said April 22, when he and dozens of other coaches and players representing most of the schoolâs other sports took part in Blue & Grey Cleanup Day.
The sixth annual event is held in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Transportationâs (TDOT) Nobody Trashes Tennessee litter prevention campaign.
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Jan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Q&A
What specific roster needs did Penny Hardaway mention for Memphis basketball?
Penny Hardaway highlighted the need for big men and point guards to strengthen the Memphis basketball roster.
When did Penny Hardaway discuss Memphis basketball's roster needs?
He discussed the roster needs on April 22 during the Blue & Grey Cleanup Day event.
How long has Penny Hardaway been the coach of Memphis basketball?
Penny Hardaway is in his ninth year as the head coach of Memphis basketball.
What event did Penny Hardaway participate in while discussing roster needs?
He participated in the Blue & Grey Cleanup Day event, which involved coaches and players from various sports.
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Washington State Cougars forward Rihards Vavers (15) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Memphis Tigersâ William Whorton (12) looks to make a move in the paint against UAB during an American Conference game on Feb. 22, 2025 at the FedexForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Briarcrestâs Fred Smith Jr. smiles after putting on a Memphis Tigers hat and shirt to announce his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
Memphis basketball commit Cello Jackson looks on after Fred Smith Jr. announced his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
Briarcrestâs Parker Pounds (2) shoots the ball during the DII-AA state quarterfinal against Baylor in Eads, Tenn., on February 28, 2026. Briarcrest defeated Baylor 55-53.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Jan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Washington State Cougars forward Rihards Vavers (15) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis Tigersâ William Whorton (12) looks to make a move in the paint against UAB during an American Conference game on Feb. 22, 2025 at the FedexForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Briarcrestâs Fred Smith Jr. smiles after putting on a Memphis Tigers hat and shirt to announce his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis basketball commit Cello Jackson looks on after Fred Smith Jr. announced his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Briarcrestâs Parker Pounds (2) shoots the ball during the DII-AA state quarterfinal against Baylor in Eads, Tenn., on February 28, 2026. Briarcrest defeated Baylor 55-53.
Memphis has eight roster spots accounted for so far, leaving him with as many as seven to fill. He has guards (Julius Thedford, Brandin âBeebahâ Cummings, Cello Jackson Jr.), wings (Rihards Vavers, Jerry Deng, Parker Pounds), and forwards (William Whorton, Fred Smith Jr.).
Hardaway hopes he is close to filling the post player and point guard voids soon. The Tigers are hosting North Alabama 6-foot-9 big man Corneilous Williams on an official visit April 22. The redshirt senior averaged 10.2 points (on 58.2% shooting) and 9.2 rebounds over the past two seasons.
Northwestern point guard Jayden Reid visited Memphis on April 21. The 5-10 playmaker, whose career began with two seasons at South Florida, had 171 assists with the Wildcats last season, which ranked 48th among all Division I players. His 5.0 assists per game average was sixth-best in the Big Ten.
The Tigers also hosted 6-7 big scoring guard Tylik Weeks, who led the Sun Belt with 19.7 points per game at Southern Miss last season.
While NCAA rules prohibit coaches from making public comments about specific recruits before they sign, Hardaway can discuss Cummings, Vavers, Jackson and Pounds, since each player has formally joined the program.
Cummings averaged 12.5 points, 2.1 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 19 games at Pitt last season. Vavers was 29th in the country with a 41.2% three-point percentage at Washington State in 2025-26.
âScoring and shooting,â said Hardaway. âBrandin is dynamic. Played in the ACC, so heâs played against the best.
âAnd Rihards is one of the best shooters in the country. We needed to space the floor. I think shooting is needed on any team, but definitely our team, because weâre trying to get those guys that can drive it downhill to have space (so) teams canât load up. So, those two guys bring a lot to the table.â
Jackson and Pounds will be freshmen next season, but they have the added bonus of being Memphians. Jackson spent his freshman and sophomore years at Freedom Assembly Christian School, then transferred to Columbus High (Miami) to finish his prep career. Pounds has been Smithâs teammate at Briarcrest for four years.
âAny young man we get, especially as freshmen, that means we have a lot of respect for them and we feel like they can add a lot of value to the team,â said Hardaway. âParker, I had a lot of respect for his game. One of the best shooters in the city and weâre always going to need shooting. A guy with a care factor like Parker Poundsâ adds a lot.
âThen, Cello heâs a guy that played with the Boozer twins and won a national championship â not just a state championship. He has a lot of exposure playing at a high level. He brings that toughness and that grit we want here as well.â
