Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers are officially on the board in the 2025 transfer portal cycle.
Former Temple guard Quante Berry, a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, has committed to the Tigers, becoming the program’s first official portal addition of the offseason. Jason Munz of the Commercial Appeal first reported the commitment, giving Memphis a promising backcourt piece as the team reconstructs a new-look roster for the 2025–26 season.
Backcourt Reload Begins
With a significant chunk of last season’s core players moving on — including All-AAC guard Colby Rogers and veteran Tyrese Hunter — Memphis entered the portal period with an urgent need to address its guard depth. Berry, a native of Cleveland, Tennessee, brings versatility, athleticism, and two full seasons of eligibility to a backcourt that will see major change this offseason.
Berry is coming off his most productive collegiate campaign, averaging:
- 10.3 points
- 4.3 rebounds
- 2.1 assists
- 1.3 steals
in 28 games for Temple, including 21 starts. He shot 46.3% from the field, 33.8% from three, and nearly 70% from the free-throw line.
His standout performance of the season came in a 24-point outing against North Texas in January. But perhaps what drew Penny Hardaway’s attention most were Berry’s two outings against Memphis. In those matchups, he averaged 17.5 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals, showing poise, competitiveness, and the kind of playmaking the Tigers will need as they retool their rotation.
A Familiar Trend
This isn’t the first time Hardaway has turned to familiar faces within the American Athletic Conference. Last year, Memphis added four players from other AAC programs, and Berry became the latest intra-conference acquisition. Hardaway has shown a knack for identifying impact talent within league play and persuading them to join the cause in Memphis.
Berry’s game fits the mold of what Hardaway often looks for: a multi-tool guard who can defend, create off the dribble, and contribute on both ends of the floor. His size (6-4) and ability to impact the game in several areas also bring much-needed balance to a Memphis backcourt that may lose its leading scorer, PJ Haggerty, who still weighs his NBA Draft and transfer options.
A Roster in Transition
Berry is just the first piece of a much larger offseason puzzle.
Memphis has at least seven open scholarships to fill, and the roster from the 2024–25 campaign is already undergoing heavy transition. In addition to the potential loss of Haggerty, Dante Harris, Bouna Kebe, and several other returning players may or may not be back. Guards Jared Harris, PJ Carter, and Baraka Okojie entered the transfer portal.
Two newcomers are currently committed to the Tigers:
- Daniel Vieira-Tuck (Overtime Elite)
- Felipe Patino (Eastern Florida State College)
Both are guards with promising upside, but like all verbal commitments, nothing is guaranteed until pen meets paper.
Addressing the Bigger Picture
Adding Berry addresses one of the biggest roster priorities: guard depth. But Memphis still has major holes to fill across the roster, especially in the frontcourt, where Dain Dainja, Nicholas Jourdain, and Moussa Cisse have all exhausted their eligibility. The Tigers must also replenish a bench that struggled to contribute consistently last season, particularly during the NCAA tournament loss to Colorado State.
More: Memphis Tigers Basketball Offseason Preview
Hardaway will likely continue targeting players with proven production from the G5 and high-major levels who can step in and contribute immediately.
Quante Berry isn’t a splashy national headline, but he represents a strong, smart start to Memphis’ offseason plan. He’s a player who’s already proven himself against Memphis, has room to grow, and fits a pressing roster need. Suppose PJ Haggerty returns — which remains a big “if” — Berry could form a dynamic pairing in the backcourt. If Haggerty departs, Berry has the tools to play a major role in the scoring and playmaking departments.
Either way, Memphis now has its first building block for 2025–26.
And it’s a solid one.
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