With the transfer portal officially closed for the 2025–26 cycle, roster-building across college basketball has entered its final stretch. Yet, Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway remains in full-on retooling mode—and his latest addition may turn out to be one of his most impactful. On Friday, May 2, Memphis landed its tenth transfer portal commitment in Hasan Abdul Hakim, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound wing from UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) with one year remaining eligibility.
While not a household name, Abdul Hakim brings a stat sheet—and a game log—that quietly suggests he could become a difference-maker for Memphis next season.
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A Closer Look at Abdul Hakim’s Resume
In his final season at UTRGV, Abdul Hakim posted 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, shooting an efficient 48% from the field. At the same time, he didn’t complete the season with the Vaqueros; his performances on the court were consistently productive, particularly in high-profile matchups.
He showed flashes of dominance against major programs:
- Vs. Wisconsin (No. 19 at the time): 19 points, 18 rebounds, 50% FG
- Vs. Creighton (No. 15): 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, 45.8% FG
- Vs. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi: 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, four blocks
In addition to scoring efficiently, Abdul Hakim consistently contributed on the glass and played with a physical edge. His combination of length, athleticism, and court awareness gives him the potential to defend multiple positions—something Memphis lacked at times last season.
A Different Type of Addition for Penny Hardaway
Abdul Hakim doesn’t arrive with the national buzz of some high-major transfers, but that may be a good thing. In past years, some of Memphis’ most successful additions—like Dain Dainja and DeAndre Williams—came from under-the-radar or smaller programs. On the flip side, the Tigers have also missed on transfers from similar pipelines. The key will be how Abdul Hakim transitions to the American Athletic Conference, where the physicality and tempo are significantly elevated.
The upside, however, is real. Abdul Hakim has proven he can rise to the occasion against Power 4 competition. If he can replicate—or even approximate—those performances in AAC play, Memphis may have secured one of the more underrated pickups of the cycle.
Strengthening the Tigers’ Bench and Depth
One of Memphis’ most glaring weaknesses last season was bench depth. Hardaway struggled to find consistent production from his reserves outside of the starting five, which often forced players like PJ Haggerty, Colby Rogers, and Tyrese Hunter to log heavy minutes. That lack of depth came back to haunt Memphis in their opening-round loss to Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament.
Abdul Hakim could help solve that problem. Whether he cracks the starting lineup or becomes a high-impact sixth man, he gives Memphis an active, experienced presence who can score, rebound, and defend. His ability to play both forward positions also provides lineup flexibility—a huge plus for a team still figuring out its new identity.
The Big Picture: What’s Next?
Abdul Hakim’s addition marks the 10th transfer Hardaway has secured for 2025–26, highlighting a complete roster overhaul following the departure of key veterans like Colby Rogers and Tyrese Hunter. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Dain Dainja and PJ Haggerty, who entered the transfer portal, makes it even more crucial for Memphis to hit on its portal additions.
Memphis’ roster now has depth, size, and versatility. However, as Hardaway continues to fill out the team, the next challenge will be identifying clear scoring options and creating a consistent offensive hierarchy. Abdul Hakim has the potential to be part of that equation, especially if he builds on the performances he flashed at UTRGV.
At minimum, he provides athleticism, effort, and rebounding—three things every contender needs.
If everything clicks, this could be the steal of the transfer portal.
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