The Memphis Tigers are riding high after a 29-6 season in 2024-25, securing AAC regular-season and tournament titles but stumbling in the NCAA Tournament with a first-round loss to Colorado State. As head coach Penny Hardaway navigates a roster overhaul, the battle for the starting point guard role is a focal point for the 2025-26 campaign. With Tyrese Hunter and PJ Haggerty gone, Hardaway has reloaded through the transfer portal, assembling a guard-heavy roster with Curtis Givens III, Dug McDaniel, Sincere Parker, Zachary Davis, and Quante Berry vying for the lead guard spot.
Meanwhile, freshman Daniel Vieira-Tuck’s decision to redshirt this season removes him from contention, and the addition of 6’11” forward Arop Arop from Columbia strengthens a frontcourt that complements the backcourt’s pace. This long-form story breaks down the candidates, their offensive styles, their impact on Memphis’ tempo, and draws on the program’s storied point guard history to frame the stakes.
The Candidates: A Versatile Guard Rotation
The Tigers’ 2025-26 guard depth chart is stacked with transfers bringing diverse skill sets. With Vieira-Tuck redshirting to develop his game for 2026-27, the competition narrows to five primary contenders for the point guard role. Here’s a look at each, based on their past performances and fit in Hardaway’s NBA-style offense.
Curtis Givens III (6’3”, Sophomore, LSU Transfer): A Memphis native and Montverde Academy alum, Givens returns home after a freshman year at LSU, where he played all 32 games, starting 12 in SEC play. He averaged 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 18.2 minutes, hitting 29 three-pointers and showcasing efficiency (e.g., six assists, one turnover vs. Stetson; four assists, no turnovers vs. Florida). His pass-first approach and three-point touch make him a steady floor general with deep ties to the city’s basketball culture.
Dug McDaniel (5’11”, Senior, Kansas State/Michigan Transfer): The veteran favorite, McDaniel started 23 of 32 games at Kansas State in 2024-25, averaging 11.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.7 steals. His quickness, vision, and defensive intensity align with Hardaway’s preference for a high-tempo, playmaking guard. Previously at Michigan (2023-24: 16.3 points, 4.7 assists), McDaniel’s ability to push the ball and create in transition makes him a strong candidate to anchor the offense, though his 3.2 turnovers per game at Michigan highlight a need for polish.
Sincere Parker (6’3”, Senior, McNeese State/Missouri State Transfer): Parker exploded at McNeese State, averaging 12.2 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench in 2024-25, shooting 43.7% from the field and 82.1% from the free-throw line. After a limited 2023-24 at Saint Louis (16 games), his scoring prowess positions him as a potential replacement for Haggerty’s 20.1 points per game. While not a traditional point guard, Parker’s shot-creation and efficiency make him a combo-guard option in scoring-heavy lineups.
Zachary Davis (6’7”, Senior, South Carolina Transfer): A versatile wing with guard skills, Davis started 19 of 32 games at South Carolina, averaging 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. His 38.2% field goal percentage was inconsistent, but his 73.5% free-throw shooting and defensive versatility shine. At 6’7”, Davis could run point in a jumbo lineup, offering size and secondary playmaking, though his primary role may be as a wing.
Quante Berry (6’4”, Junior, Temple Transfer): A Cleveland, Tennessee native, Berry played a full season at Temple, showing athleticism and rim-attacking ability but limited playmaking stats. His 6’4” frame suits a slasher role in Hardaway’s fast-paced system, but his lack of assist numbers makes him a long shot for the starting point guard job, likely thriving as a bench scorer.
Offensive Styles and Impact on Team Pace
Hardaway’s Tigers play a fast-paced, NBA-inspired game, ranking among the nation’s leaders in tempo last season (per KenPom) with a 35.8% three-point shooting clip. The 2025-26 roster, with shooters like Mason Matthews (43.6% from three) and bigs like Bradshaw, Simon Majok, and Arop, is built for speed and versatility. Each point guard candidate shapes the team’s pace differently, influencing how Hardaway balances transition and half-court play.
Curtis Givens III: Steady and Efficient
Givens’ pass-first style emphasizes control, with 1.6 assists and minimal turnovers (e.g., four assists, no turnovers vs. Florida)—his 29 made threes at LSU stretch defenses, fitting Memphis’ perimeter-heavy attack. Givens slightly slows the pace compared to last season’s breakneck tempo, favoring half-court sets to set up shooters or lob targets like Bradshaw and Arop. His 4.8 points per game suggest he needs scorers like Parker to complement him, projecting a balanced 70-75 possessions per game.
Dug McDaniel: High-Octane Catalyst
McDaniel’s quickness and 4.9 assists per game make him the ideal engine for Hardaway’s up-tempo vision. His 1.7 steals spark fast breaks, feeding finishers like Majok or Arop in transition. His 11.4 points and drive-and-kick ability maximize Memphis’ shooters, potentially pushing the team to a top-10 national tempo (75-80 possessions). However, his 3.2 turnovers per game at Michigan require tightening to avoid stalling the offense against tough nonconference foes like Utah State.
Sincere Parker: Scoring-First Spark
Parker’s 12.2 points and 43.7% shooting bring instant offense, akin to Haggerty’s role. His mid-range and slashing game thrives in isolation, potentially slowing the pace to 68-72 possessions as he hunts shots. While his assist numbers are low (under 1.0 APG), pairing him with a playmaker like McDaniel could create a dynamic backcourt. His scoring fits lineups needing a punch, but makes him a secondary point guard option.
Zachary Davis: Jumbo Versatility
Davis’ 6’7” frame allows a switchable, big lineup, blending 1.8 assists with 1.1 steals for defensive impact. His 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds suit a slower, half-court style (65-70 possessions), leveraging his size to set up shooters like Matthews or post players like Arop. His 38.2% shooting limits his point guard viability, positioning him as a wing or secondary creator.
Quante Berry: Slashing Energy
Berry’s athleticism and rim attacks align with Memphis’ fast pace, but his limited playmaking stats at Temple suggest a bench role. His slashing could spark transition buckets alongside bigs like Arop, but he lacks the vision to run the point full-time.
Historical Context: Memphis’ Point Guard Pedigree Memphis has a legacy of elite point guards who set the standard for the 2025-26 starter, offering lessons on what Hardaway seeks: playmaking, defense, and tempo control.
Derrick Rose (2007-08): A Chicago native, Rose led the Tigers to a 38-2 record and an NCAA Championship game, averaging 14.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. His explosive drives and low turnovers (2.1 per game) powered a high-octane attack, a model for McDaniel’s potential to push the pace and feed Arop and Bradshaw.
Tyreke Evans (2008-09): Evans’ 17.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals drove a 33-4 season. His scoring and playmaking mirror Parker’s offensive punch or Davis’ versatility, though his ball dominance would need adjustment in Hardaway’s team-oriented system.
Tyrese Hunter (2024-25): Hunter’s 12.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals fueled last season’s 29-6 run. His defense and tempo control are a benchmark for McDaniel, while his efficiency inspires Givens’ low-turnover approach.
These guards thrived in Memphis’ fast, guard-centric system, which Hardaway has honed with three-point shooting and pick-and-rolls. The 2025-26 starter must orchestrate for shooters like Patino and bigs like Arop, whose length adds a new dimension to the frontcourt.
Impact of Roster Updates
Vieira-Tuck’s redshirt decision shifts focus to the veterans, giving Hardaway a future asset with his 14.5 points and 4.3 steals from FIBA U20 play. Meanwhile, Arop Arop’s addition (6’11”, 180 pounds, Columbia) strengthens the frontcourt alongside Bradshaw and Majok. While Arop’s stats at Columbia are limited, his height and potential as a rim protector enhance transition plays, amplifying the importance of a point guard who can push the ball and exploit lobs or kick-outs.
The Verdict: Who Wins the Job?
The point guard battle boils to experience, playmaking, and fit in Hardaway’s high-tempo system. Dug McDaniel is the frontrunner, with his 4.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 11.4 points aligning with Hardaway’s need for a dynamic, defensive-minded guard. His ability to spark fast breaks and feed shooters like Matthews or bigs like Arop and Bradshaw makes him the best fit to replicate Hunter’s impact, though he must cut down on turnovers (3.2 per game at Michigan). His experience in Big 12 and Big Ten play gives him an edge.
Curtis Givens III is a strong contender, offering local appeal and a low-turnover style (1.6 assists, minimal turnovers). His 29 threes and efficiency suit Memphis’ perimeter game, but his 4.8 points per game suggest he needs scorers like Parker or Matthews to shine. He’s a likely backup or situational starter.
Sincere Parker and Zachary Davis are better as scoring wings or secondary creators, with Parker’s 12.2 points filling Haggerty’s role and Davis’ 6’7” frame adding defensive flexibility. Quante Berry is a bench slasher, lacking the playmaking to start at point.
The point guard race will define Memphis’ bid to repeat as AAC champions and make a deeper NCAA Tournament run. McDaniel’s tempo-pushing style echoes Rose and Hunter, positioning him to lead a roster with Arop’s length and shooters like Matthews.
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