Busting Brackets
Fansided

Memphis Basketball: Examining the Tigers 2018 recruiting class

By Daniel Benjamin

MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 25: Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway has EYBL ties with the Bluff City Legends. He is now the coach of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 25: Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway has EYBL ties with the Bluff City Legends. He is now the coach of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 10: Kareem Brewton Jr. #5 of the Memphis Tigers walks off the floor after losing a semifinal game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amway Center on March 10, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 10: Kareem Brewton Jr. #5 of the Memphis Tigers walks off the floor after losing a semifinal game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amway Center on March 10, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Memphis Basketball Head Coach Penny Hardaway has been hard at work on the recruiting scene. Here’s a look at the 2018 class of players.

Newly minted head coach Penny Hardaway knew that turning around a struggling Tigers program wouldn’t be easy. But he probably didn’t think that he would have to work as hard so soon.

Hardaway has been on the job less than three months, but he has already made a major impact on the Memphis program both on and off the court. The former NBA star, in his first year as a collegiate head coach, has turned over half of the roster from a year ago.

Hardaway recently increased

his first recruiting class to seven players

after receiving a commitment from 2018 prospect Ryan Boyce. Boyce had played for Hardaway at Memphis East High and on the AAU circuit. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard

initially signed with UAB

in December 2017. But he sought his release after Hardaway was named as head coach by the Tigers on March 19.

ESPN has Boyce rated as a four-star prospect while other recruiting services have given him three stars. Boyce is long, versatile and very athletic. He also has the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers on a consistent basis. However, he needs to work on tightening his handles.

It is unknown whether Boyce will have a scholarship this year or have to walk on per the Commercial Appeal. Memphis already has 14 players on scholarship, so it appears that Boyce will have to pay his own way this season.

Regardless of how Boyce fits into the program in terms of financial terms. He will join former East High players Alex Lomax and Jayden Hardaway with the Tigers this season. Other newcomers include Tyler Harris, Antwann Jones, Isaiah Maurice and David Wingett.

Hardaway also has made a major impact off the court.

According to USA Today, the basketball team is a major reason why the university is expecting ticket sales and donations to be around $4.5 million in 2019.  Last year, attendance dropped to about 4,583 per game the lowest in 50 years.

Memphis last made the NCAA Tournament in 2013. The Tigers went 21-13 in 2017-18 including 10-8 in the AAC which was good enough for fifth place. Since joining the AAC prior to the 2013 season, the Tigers have compiled a 207-99 record. Which includes going 101-53 in conference play, although they have not finished above fifth since the 2013-2014 campaign.

Despite Hardaway’s inexperience as a college coach, the Tigers will have a ton of basketball experience on the sidelines. Assisting Hardaway are former NBA player Mike Miller, former NBA player and head coach Sam Mitchell and veteran college assistant Tony Madlock.

The rest of the article will look at the Tigers’ 2018-19 roster.