Penny Hardaway expressed that he is 'much happier' about Memphis basketball now compared to last summer. He feels positive about the team's prospects following a successful event in Lakeland.
Key points
Penny Hardaway feels much happier about Memphis basketball now
He attended the 'Tigers On Tour' event in Lakeland
Last year he was awaiting player eligibility decisions
The atmosphere around the team has improved significantly
Why Penny Hardaway is 'much happier' about Memphis basketball now than last summer
Penny Hardaway walked off the stage at The Ownerâs Box in Lakeland May 12 in far better spirits than this time a year ago.
âI feel better than last summer,â he said smiling after the athletic departmentâs first of four âTigers On Tourâ stops. âMuch, much happier now over last summer. Feel really good right now.â
Last year, the Memphis basketball coach was waiting on a decision from former Tigers All-American guard PJ Haggerty. He was also holding out hope the NCAA would grant all-conference big man Dain Dainja another season of eligibility.
Haggerty transferred and Dainjaâs waiver request was denied. Because Hardaway spent so much time waiting on those developments, last offseasonâs roster build suffered.
This time, Hardaway and his coaching staff have been far more proactive. He has filled 14 spots out of a maximum of 15.
The most recent is FAU transfer big man Maxim Logue, multiple sources told The Commercial Appeal May 12. They requested anonymity since an official announcement has not been made.
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Q&A
Why is Penny Hardaway happier about Memphis basketball now?
Penny Hardaway is happier due to improved team prospects and a positive atmosphere compared to last summer.
What events led to Hardaway's improved feelings about the team?
Hardaway's improved feelings stem from a successful 'Tigers On Tour' event and a more stable roster situation.
What was Hardaway waiting for last summer regarding player eligibility?
Last summer, Hardaway was waiting for a decision on PJ Haggerty and hoped for Dain Dainja's eligibility extension.
What is the significance of the 'Tigers On Tour' event for Memphis basketball?
'Tigers On Tour' is significant as it helps boost team morale and engage with fans, reflecting the program's positive direction.
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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
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.
Logue joins Jayden Reid, Josh Holloway, Brandin "Beebah" Cummings, Luke Almodovar, Tylik "Bully" Weeks, Rihards Vavers, Jerry Deng and Corneilous Williams as Division I transfers.
Other newcomers expected to suit up for the team in 2026-27 include incoming freshmen Fred Smith Jr., Cello Jackson Jr. and Parker Pounds. Hardaway will return Julius Thedford and Whorton.
Hardaway said he expects everyone to be on campus when summer workouts begin in early June. Not since pre-COVID has that much of a Tigers roster been on campus so soon.
Hardaway said building chemistry is at the top of his to-do list once summer workouts begin.
â(I want to get) guys to play more 5-on-5 this year to kind of get used to moving the basketball, getting different groups mixed in together and teaching them how to play the game,â he said. âWe wonât really run a lot of plays. Itâll be more concept-based, where weâre just kind of making reads. Itâs gonna need to be more 5-on-5 this summer. I havenât done that before.â
Hardaway also let last offseasonâs approach to roster construction better inform how he assembled the 2026-27 version. He said the Tigersâ offensive struggles last season (207th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency) left a sour taste in his mouth, so he set out to remedy that.
âMy best teams are teams that put the ball in the basket. We struggled scoring (last season). A couple years ago, we didnât,â he said. âSo, I definitely wanted multiple options offensively that they just couldnât key in on one guy.â
Among the more likely candidates to lead the way in scoring are Weeks, who led the Sun Belt at 19.7 points per game, and Cummings, Pittâs leading scorer at 12.5 points per game before a season-ending injury in January.
Hardaway cautioned that there are plenty more options than just those two.
âWith their history and the way theyâve scored the basketball, Brandin and Tylik, you would think those guys would be the guys,â he said. âBut weâll see what happens in June. Weâre just blessed to have that talent on our team and weâll just see how the rest of it goes in June and July.â
