The 5 biggest needs for Memphis basketball as Penny Hardaway faces another roster overhaul
Penny Hardaway practically started from scratch last offseason.
The Memphis basketball coach was only assured of returning one player − his son, Jayden − from the 2022-23 team, but he wound up bringing two back (Malcolm Dandridge being the other).
Chances are Hardaway will have at least that much carryover on the 2024-25 roster, if not a good deal more. But, even if each scholarship player with collegiate eligibility left is back in a Tiger uniform next season (David Jones, Nicholas Jourdain, Ashton Hardaway and Carl Cherenfant), Hardaway will still have his work cut out for him again this offseason.
Memphis − counting 4-star guard Jared Harris who signed in November 2023 − currently has eight open scholarships. That's a lot of holes to fill. But it's not as important how many there. Memphis has certain very specific needs that Hardaway and his coaching staff must address. Let's take a look at some of them:
Floor general
Kendric Davis' don't exactly grow on trees.
A legitimate point guard who can not only run the show offensively but is also willing and able to set the tone on defense isn't very easy to come by. But finding one that can be some or all of the above and getting them to Memphis has to be Hardaway's top priority.
Davis might not have been an elite defender (like another former Tiger, Alex Lomax, was), but he made up for it with effort. And not just a little bit here and there. Davis completely bought in to Hardaway's system from the jump, which made for an ideal situation for both sides.
Michigan's Dug McDaniel is a good example of a player like this who is currently in the transfer portal.
Versatile starting center
Precious Achiuwa. Jalen Duren. Even Dandridge this past season.
Perhaps the second-biggest key to the success Hardaway has had since taking over at Memphis in 2018 is the presence of a player he can put at the five who can score points and get rebounds.
No matter how many players return for the Tigers, there is a gaping hole at the center position.
Two-way wing
Something else that was totally missing from the 2023-24 roster: an athletic win who can not only defend but also shoot the ball well from the 3-point line. There were those who could check one or two of those boxes (Jones and Jaykwon Walton come to mind). But nobody checked all three.
Having a starting-caliber player like that (a la Lester Quinones) tremendously elevates what can be done within Hardaway's system.
Knockdown shooter
It's part of today's game. Without a specialized deep threat (like Tyler Harris or Landers Nolley), opposing teams can get away with just sitting back in a zone defense with little worry that the Tigers will make them pay.
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It may not be the most important need on Hardaway's list. After all, Ashton Hardaway (if he is back next season) could be that guy. But it's still a need.
Face-up big
Call it a face-up big. Call it a point forward. Call it whatever you want.
The Tigers have had them before. DeAndre Williams and Nae'Qwan Tomlin are the most obvious examples. D.J. Jeffries embodied some of this, too. But Hardaway will almost certainly make finding another player of their ilk a priority. Someone with some size who can guard multiple positions on defense and who can score from all three levels on offense.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball: 5 biggest needs as Tigers face roster overhaul
