The Penny Hardaway era at Memphis has never lacked talent, headlines, or intrigue. But as the Tigers prepare to enter the 2025–26 season, the program begins an unmistakable new chapter built not around returning stars but a reloaded, dynamic, and unproven backcourt.
On Monday, the program officially turned the page when All-American guard and AAC Player of the Year PJ Haggerty announced he would not return to Memphis. Instead, he’ll continue his career at Kansas State, withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft and joining the Big 12 program as one of the nation’s most prolific scorers. Haggerty averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last season, carrying the Tigers through stretches of inconsistency and emerging as their clear No. 1 option.
His exit, though significant, was not unexpected. Haggerty entered both the NBA Draft and the transfer portal this spring, leaving the door open for a return but ultimately choosing a fresh start.
Now, Memphis turns to its future, which is already on campus.
A New-Look Backcourt
With Haggerty out, Memphis will lean heavily on a completely retooled guard room with transfers and high-upside prospects. Among them are Quante Berry (Temple), Dug McDaniel (Kansas State), Curtis Givens III (LSU), Julius Thedford (Western Kentucky), Sincere Parker (McNeese State), and Zachary Davis (South Carolina). Hasan Abdul Hakim (UTRGV), listed as a guard but more of a wing, adds positional versatility.
Two promising incoming freshmen, Daniel Vieira-Tuck (Overtime Elite) and Felipe Patino (Eastern Florida State College), further bolster what is arguably one of the deepest backcourts Memphis has fielded under Hardaway.
It’s a group bursting with potential—but also with questions.
How will the minutes be distributed? Who will emerge as the go-to scorer? Can this group play together, or will someone inevitably become the odd man?
As a head coach to date, assembling the pieces will be one of Hardaway’s most important—and perhaps most challenging—tasks.
Next Man Up: Dug McDaniel’s Time to Lead
If there’s a natural candidate to step into Haggerty’s role as a floor general, it’s Dug McDaniel. The Kansas State transfer averaged 11.4 points and 4.9 assists per game in the Big 12 last season and brings experience, vision, and playmaking instincts. While he may lack elite size, McDaniel’s ability to control the tempo and find shooters should give him an immediate edge in the race for starting point guard duties.
He won’t be expected to carry the scoring load the way Haggerty did, but he will need to be the glue that binds a diverse group of perimeter players together.
Scoring by Committee
Unlike last season, when Memphis had a go-to guy in crunch time, the 2025–26 roster may need to rely on a committee approach.
Berry, who averaged 10.3 points per game at Temple while shooting over 46% from the field, can get buckets and defend the perimeter. He’s already proven he can produce in the AAC and might be the most balanced option among the new arrivals.
Givens, a Memphis native and former top recruit, brings scoring upside and energy off the bench. The freshman had limited opportunities at LSU but could benefit from a larger role under Hardaway, who has a history of elevating local talent.
Thedford and Parker are both proven scorers at the mid-major level. Parker, in particular, lit up the Southland Conference last season, averaging over 14 points per game with impressive efficiency. Whether those numbers translate against AAC competition remains to be seen, but both provide instant offense and will compete for sixth-man roles.
Meanwhile, Zachary Davis offers something different: size, defense, and positional versatility. 6-foot-7, he can guard multiple positions and may be deployed as a defensive stopper or matchup-based specialist.
And then there’s Hasan Abdul Hakim—perhaps the most underrated pickup of the offseason. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds at UTRGV and impressed against high-major opponents like Creighton and Wisconsin. His frame and athleticism suggest he may play the “3” or even “4” in smaller lineups, giving Hardaway added flexibility.
Patino and Vieira-Tuck: Wild Cards with Upside
While most of the attention will go to the transfer names, keep an eye on Memphis’ two under-the-radar additions.
Felipe Patino, a JUCO sharpshooter, could earn a rotational role early due to his elite shooting stroke. He shot 51.1% from three at Eastern Florida State College and has the kind of off-ball spacing Memphis desperately lacked last season.
Vieira-Tuck, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Overtime Elite, brings athleticism and long-term intrigue. Though his offensive game is still raw, he’s known for his defensive instincts and could play a specialist role in certain matchups.
The Rotation Puzzle
If Penny Hardaway sticks with a traditional three-guard rotation, someone will be left out.
McDaniel and Berry look like early favorites to start. If Memphis goes big on the wing, Abdul Hakim or Davis could begin with the “3,” shifting the rotation and pushing one of the scoring guards (Parker, Givens, or Thedford) to the bench.
Related: How Will Memphis Manage Its Loaded Guard Rotation?
That kind of logjam could create healthy competition—or frustration if minutes are inconsistent. It will be critical for Hardaway and his staff to communicate roles clearly and build chemistry early in the season.
Expect the non-conference schedule to serve as a testing ground for various combinations. By conference play, the pecking order should be clearer.
Turning the Page
It’s never easy to lose a player like PJ Haggerty. His production, efficiency, and leadership were pivotal in Memphis securing both the AAC regular season and tournament titles last year. But his departure also marks a necessary reset.
The 2025–26 team will be younger, deeper, and more unpredictable, but potentially more balanced. With no clear alpha scorer in place (for now), Memphis can emphasize ball movement, pressure defense, and pace—hallmarks of Hardaway’s most successful teams.
And with the roster now brimming with length and athleticism, the Tigers may finally have the depth to withstand the rigors of a long season.
A New Chapter Begins
The curtain has officially closed on the Haggerty era in Memphis, but what comes next may be just as exciting. A new generation of guards has arrived—hungry, talented, and ready to write their own story.
And with Penny Hardaway at the helm, the Tigers won’t be rebuilding—they’ll be reloading.
Coach Mitch
May 26, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Not much said about PJ average 4+ turnovers which sometimes killed runs. Opponents could double team him new the other teams will have to play honest defense.