Memphis Basketball: Why PJ Haggerty is the most important team transfer for 2024-25

It’s impossible to say that Memphis has not disappointed in the six years since Penny Hardaway took over as head coach. The Tigers have had no shortage of talent but the results haven’t always been there. Always second fiddle to Houston in the AAC, the Tigers had opportunity with the Cougars’ departure last season, but still fell short of the Big Dance, outshined by teams like Florida Atlantic and South Florida.

Regardless of last year’s results, one thing that’s certain is that Memphis will look far different this season. Top scorer David Jones is gone, while established players like Jahvon Quinerly, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, and Jaykwon Walton have all seen their careers come to an end. The 6.5 points a game they got from forward Nick Jourdain represents the biggest contributor that’s returning this year, though Hardaway and company were very busy replenishing the roster.

Three different frontcourt pieces have greatly solidified the back end for Memphis, who added Moussa Cisse from Ole Miss, lured Dain Dainja from Illinois, and got Tyreek Smith from former conference rival SMU. In the backcourt, the Tigers are expecting contributions from former George Mason point guard Baraka Okojie and Colby Rogers from Wichita State, but are really excited to install Tyrese Hunter as the new point guard.

In addition to that laundry list of additions, PJ Haggerty joins Memphis from conference rival Tulsa and really stands on top of this talented transfer class. Haggerty played a few games at TCU before redshirting and transferring last offseason, turning into quite the star with the Golden Hurricane. In his redshirt freshman season, he’d average 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, earning AAC Rookie of the Year honors.

Tulsa did not play in the postseason, and yet Haggerty still ranked 3rd in the entire nation in made free throws last season. He’s an explosive offensive talent who emerged as one of the best freshmen in the entire nation last season. He was doing marvelous work for a mediocre Tulsa squad and now becomes perhaps the top offensive weapon on a different team in the AAC.

Memphis is depending on this new-look lineup to gel quickly. If it happens, this is one of the best non-power conference teams in the nation, with talent, depth, and experience at virtually every position. We won’t detail all the pieces and what they bring, but it’s clear that Haggerty can be that initial option and should excite Tigers fans in the months to come.

Will this be a season in Memphis that doesn’t end in underwhelming fashion? Hardaway certainly got busy in recent months finding talent and luring them to Memphis, with Haggerty certainly the shining diamond of the bunch. Can this squad come together and win an AAC title for the Tigers in 2025? Will Haggerty be able to put up the same type of production in these new surroundings?