By all accounts, Memphis basketball head coach Penny Hardaway has entered the 2025 offseason with a clean slate — and a massive opportunity. With at least seven scholarships available, a clear need to rebuild the frontcourt, and question marks surrounding the return of star guard PJ Haggerty, the Tigers are walking a tightrope between potential and uncertainty.
But what if everything broke perfectly for Memphis?
What if the transfers aligned, Haggerty returned, and Penny and his staff landed their top portal targets?
Let’s map out the dream scenario that could put the Tigers right back in the national spotlight and make them a serious threat in the 2025-26 NCAA Tournament.
Step 1: PJ Haggerty Returns
This is the centerpiece. Everything changes if PJ Haggerty runs it back in Memphis.
Haggerty, a consensus All-American and one of the top scorers in college basketball last season (21.8 PPG), is currently evaluating his options — including the NBA Draft and the transfer portal. But if he stays, Memphis immediately gets a player capable of winning AAC Player of the Year and leading the Tigers deep into March.
Bringing Haggerty back solidifies the Tigers’ backcourt and gives Hardaway a true offensive anchor to build around. With no Tyrese Hunter, Colby Rogers, or PJ Carter — all of whom are out of eligibility — Haggerty’s presence becomes vital.
Dream Outcome: Haggerty announces he’s staying after testing the NBA Draft waters.
Step 2: Land Amarri Monroe and Yaxel Lendeborg
Let’s dream big — really big.
The Tigers are scheduled to host Amarri Monroe, the reigning MAAC Player of the Year from Quinnipiac, and have been in contact with Yaxel Lendeborg, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year from UAB.
In the dream scenario, Memphis gets both.
- Monroe (18.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG) brings instant toughness and interior scoring, replacing much of the frontcourt production lost with Dain Dainja, Nicholas Jourdain, and Moussa Cisse aging out of eligibility.
- Lendeborg (17.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.8 BPG) gives Memphis a defensive anchor in the paint, a relentless rebounder, and a high-level distributor. He’s also keeping his draft eligibility, but in this scenario, he joins forces with Hardaway for one final run.
If Penny pulls this off? The frontcourt reload goes from worrisome to elite overnight.
Dream Outcome: Monroe and Lendeborg both commit to Memphis.
Step 3: Quante Berry Transfers from Temple
Quante Berry has already scheduled a visit to Memphis, and his skill set fits exactly what the Tigers need: experience, versatility, and AAC familiarity.
Berry averaged 10.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 2.3 APG for Temple last season and brings good size (6’4″) and a smooth midrange game. He’s not a volume shooter, but he’s efficient and has proven he can handle big minutes in conference play.
In the dream scenario, Berry slots into a starting two-guard role alongside Haggerty and becomes a glue guy in Memphis’ backcourt.
Dream Outcome: Berry commits during his Memphis visit.
Step 4: PJ Carter Reconsiders and Returns
This one may be wishful thinking, but it’s the offseason — wishful thinking is what makes it fun.
PJ Carter quietly entered the transfer portal after a breakout year as Memphis’ top three-point specialist. Carter shot 42% from beyond the arc and proved himself as an elite catch-and-shoot threat. His spacing changed the game for Memphis last season.
If Haggerty returns, and Carter decides to stay, Memphis suddenly has one of the deadliest offensive duos in the conference. Combine that with Berry and Monroe or Lendeborg, and the floor opens up dramatically.
Dream Outcome: Carter pulls his name from the portal and returns for a final season.
Related: Memphis Tigers Basketball Offseason Preview: 2025
Step 5: Add a Dynamic Wing — Chris Bell or Abdi Bashir
Memphis is hosting Chris Bell from Syracuse this week — a 6’7” forward who shot 42% from deep over the final 22 games of last season. He fills an immediate hole on the wing, especially with the departure of Jourdain and uncertainty around who can defend 3s and 4s next season.
Meanwhile, Abdi Bashir from Monmouth (20.1 PPG, 38% from three) is another long, rangy scorer who could slide into a similar role.
Ideally, one of the two commits. Memphis needs length and shooting on the perimeter, and both players bring that in abundance.
Dream Outcome: Bell commits and gives Memphis a wing who can score 10–12 points per game and stretch defenses.
Step 6: Secure a Reliable Backup PG (Via Portal or Freshman)
With Baraka Okojie and Jared Harris both entering the portal and Tyrese Hunter aging out, Memphis desperately needs a reliable point guard behind Dante Harris (who is returning). Ideally, Hardaway adds a veteran backup who can handle the ball, run the offense, and hit open shots.
That could come in the form of someone like Chas Kelley (Boston College) or even a late-rising freshman recruit.
But Memphis cannot afford to enter the season with only one playable point guard again.
Dream Outcome: Hardaway lands a veteran guard who accepts a backup role and keeps the offense steady when Harris rests.
Final Roster Outlook (Dream Scenario)
Starters:
- PG: Dante Harris
- SG: PJ Haggerty
- SF: Quante Berry
- PF: Amarri Monroe
- C: Yaxel Lendeborg
Bench:
- Chris Bell
- PJ Carter
- Backup PG (TBD)
- Felipe Patino (JUCO shooter)
- Daniel Vieira-Tuck (Combo guard)
- Bouna Kebe (redshirt forward)
Will all of this happen? Probably not. But if even half of these pieces fall into place — Haggerty returns, Monroe or Lendeborg commits, and Bell or Berry signs — Memphis would be looking at one of the most talented and experienced rosters in the AAC.
The Tigers’ path to March Madness success depends on how well they reload this offseason. But as we’ve seen in past years, Penny Hardaway thrives when given a challenge.
And if the dream scenario plays out, Memphis might not just return to the tournament in 2026 — they might make serious noise once they’re there.
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