Memphis Tigers Basketball

Anfernee Hardaway will be remaining at Memphis and will not take the Orlando Magic's vacant head-coaching position, according to multiple reports.

Penny Hardaway announces he will remain head coach at Memphis. https://t.co/uLhsY9h6qp

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2021

Just got off the phone with Memphis coach Penny Hardaway — who told me he is staying with the Tigers.

“I couldn’t step away from what I started. One day it would be a dream to coach in the NBA, and the Orlando Magic, but we still unfinished business at Memphis.”

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 30, 2021

Hardaway would have represented a connection to the Magic's golden era. Orlando reached the 1995 NBA Finals and appeared to be a budding dynasty until Shaquille O'Neal left for the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 1996-97 season.

Following a lengthy playing career, the 49-year-old went into coaching and climbed up the ladder to return to his alma mater, Memphis, in 2018. The Tigers have gone 63-32 in his three seasons at the helm.

The Magic finished the 2020-21 season with the NBA's third-worst record (21-51), which was a far cry from reaching the playoffs in the previous two years. But the front office signaled the start of a rebuild in March by trading away Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic.

The moves altogether weren't surprising. Fournier was in the final year of his contract, and Gordon's value as a trade asset was never going to be higher since he's a free agent in 2022. While he was moved before Gordon, Vucevic was out the door with the front office's priorities shifting.

Here's the deal: The Bulls land Nikola Vucevic and Al Farouq Aminu for Otto Porter, Wendell Carter Jr., and two first-round picks. Huge addition for Chicago, who remains in pursuit of Lonzo Ball. The Magic are moving toward a rebuild now with Aaron Gordon deal on deck.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021

In general, Orlando had been stuck on the proverbial treadmill of mediocrity.

The franchise enjoyed a stroke of good fortune when it received the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft lottery for the second straight year, which led the league to tweak the lottery format. The draft gods enacted their vengeance across the 2010s as the Magic were adjusting to the post-Dwight Howard era.

They made the playoffs in 2011-12 and then endured a six-year postseason drought. Here's where they finished in the league and where they fell in the draft lottery during that time.

• 2012-13: 30th (20-62); No. 2 overall (Victor Oladipo)
• 2013-14: 28th (23-59); No. 4 overall (Aaron Gordon)
• 2014-15: 26th (25-57); No. 5 overall (Mario Hezonja)
• 2015-16: 20th (35-47); No. 11 overall (Domantas Sabonis)
• 2016-17: 26th (29-53); No. 6 overall (Jonathan Isaac)
• 2017-18: 26th (25-57); No. 6 overall (Mo Bamba)

Taking Mario Hezonja was a mistake in 2015, but Orlando wasn't the only team that failed to see the potential in Devin Booker, who was off the board at No. 13. Trading Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka was pretty bad as well.

The Magic also managed to fleece the Milwaukee Bucks when they acquired Tobias Harris in February 2013 and then found themselves fleeced when they dealt him to the Detroit Pistons three years later for Ersan İlyasova and Brandon Jennings.

There were undoubtedly some big missteps when Rob Hennigan worked as the general manager.

Even if you were to undo the Ibaka and Harris trades, you still wind up with the same problem in Orlando, though. The organization's luck in the lottery—or lack thereof—left it without a true franchise cornerstone.

Gordon epitomized the problem. While the 6'8" forward is the kind of player who can meaningfully contribute to a championship contender, he's not somebody you build the entire team around. Fans eagerly awaited a breakout that never arrived.

The same thing applied to Fournier, who averaged 12.6 points and shot 34.9 percent from the field during the Magic's back-to-back playoff runs.

Hitting the reset button was the only sensible option for general manager John Hammond.

One benefit of taking this job now for whoever becomes the next head coach is that he or she should be afforded plenty of time.

A young core of Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Chuma Okeke and Markelle Fultz creates some intrigue but doesn't generate a ton of optimism yet. Isaac and Fultz in particular are big question marks as they're coming off torn ACLs.

The Brooklyn Nets are a prime example of how the right coach can drastically change a team's outlook. Kenny Atkinson took over a roster almost totally bereft of long-term assets in 2016-17. Two years later, they were in the playoffs.

Player development will be the primary object right out of the gate.

Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway is trying to lure Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown back onto the sidelines, again. According to John Martin of The Athletic, Hardaway is hoping Brown will join him as an assistant coach after striking out on him three years ago.

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway has once again targeted Hall-of-Fame coach Larry Brown to be a part of his staff as an assistant coach, according to sources. Brown, 80, is the only coach to have won an NBA title and NCAA Tournament.

— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) June 9, 2021

CBS Sports' Gary Parrish reported in 2018 that then-Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen was "hesitant" to add Brown to Hardaway's staff after the former Kansas and NBA coach resigned at SMU in 2016 following an NCAA investigation into the program.

Brown was suspended for 30 percent of the Mustangs' season in 2015-16, and the program was banned from postseason play, after the NCAA cited Brown for failing to report academic fraud violations. He last coached with Auxilium Torino in 2018, but was fired from the Italian league following a 5-19 start to the season. 

Still the only head coach to win an NCAA title and NBA championship, the 80-year-old New Yorker hasn't served as a college assistant coach since working under Dean Smith at North Carolina from 1965-1967, though he's occasionally returned to KU—where he won the 1988 NCAA tournament—to unofficially sit in on practices.

Brown told Martin an offer from Memphis has been discussed for a while now, but nothing has been made official—even as Hardaway continued to pursue him. 

I talked about Larry Brown on the show earlier this week. It’s been in the works for a while. Hardaway never stopped wanting Brown after encountering resistance from the previous administration in 2018. Brown would obviously bring unparalleled coaching acumen to Memphis.

— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) June 9, 2021

Brown briefly coached Hardaway from 2004-2006 when the two overlapped during stints with the New York Knicks. 

Hardaway, 49, led Memphis to an NIT title in 2021 but is just 63-32 in three seasons without an NCAA tournament appearance despite stellar recruiting classes. The program appeared on track for the 2020 tournament before it was canceled because of COVID-19 .

The head coach hopes the next time he takes the court, he has Brown by his side helping lead the charge to the Tigers' first Final Four since 2008. 

Moussa Cisse's time with the Memphis Tigers is reportedly over after just one season.

Jeff Borzello of ESPN reported on Monday that the big man entered the transfer portal following his freshman campaign on Penny Hardaway's team. 

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Cisse was a 5-star prospect and the No. 10 overall player in the recruiting class of 2020.

The 18-year-old averaged 6.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 55.2 percent from the field during his one season with the Tigers. Cisse was a key rotational player in the frontcourt even though he was far from a go-to option.

Cisse flashed his potential at times with double-doubles against SMU, Wichita State, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas State, but consistency on the offensive end was something of an issue. He would disappear for extended stretches as a reliable offensive force, although he helped make up for that by contributing on the boards and protecting the rim.

He earned American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors in large part due to those efforts in areas outside of scoring.

Jason Munz of the Memphis Commercial Appeal noted this development comes after Cisse announced he would enter the NBA draft without signing with an agent so he could keep his eligibility.

Munz also reported the big man is the fifth player from Memphis' team last season to enter the portal. Boogie Ellis (USC), D.J. Jeffries (Mississippi State), Damion Baugh (TCU) and Jordan Nesbitt (Saint Louis) have already chosen their destinations.

Cisse's departure leaves Malcolm Dandridge and incoming freshman Sam Onu as centers for the Tigers.

Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers landed a significant addition from the transfer portal.

Guard Earl Timberlake told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he is transferring from Miami to Memphis to play for the Tigers during the 2021-22 season.

"I felt like I can learn a lot from [coach] Penny Hardaway—all he's done in his career," Timberlake said. "I like the way they defend, they have the No. 1-ranked defense in the country. I can add to that. I like how they see my game. They know I can pass and they'll help me get back to defending the way I know I can defend and try to win a national championship. I appreciate everyone for recruiting me and I'm going to do my best at Memphis."

That the defense stood out for Timberlake is notable because the Tigers finished last season No. 1 in the country on that side of the floor in KenPom.com's rankings. They used that defense to go 9-2 in their final 11 regular-season games and eventually win the NIT championship over Mississippi State.

Maintaining that defensive presence figures to be key for the 2021-22 campaign, especially given the overall roster changes.

Givony noted Boogie Ellis, Damion Baugh, Jordan Nesbitt and D.J. Jeffries all entered the transfer portal, while Moussa Cisse declared for the NBA draft but is yet to hire an agent. An impressive recruiting class that is No. 8 on the 247Sports' composite rankings is coming in, and Davion Warren transferred to the Tigers from Hampton.

Timberlake arrives as another key addition and someone who could play his way up NBA draft boards with a successful season.

He dealt with ankle and shoulder injuries in his freshman season with the Hurricanes and appeared in just seven games while averaging 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals a night.

At his best, he is someone who can impact the game in a number of ways, including on the defensive end.

That should fit in well with Hardaway's squad.

Nineteen years ago, John Calipari led Memphis to an NIT championship to kick off the strongest period in school history.

Penny Hardaway will hope history repeats itself.

Champs! pic.twitter.com/lXBRLodyLQ

— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 28, 2021

Boogie Ellis scored 23 points and D.J. Jeffries added 15 points and five blocks off the bench, leading Memphis to a 77-64 win over Mississippi State to take the 2021 NIT.

This is the second NIT title in program history, joining the 2002 Calipari squad. The Tigers would make the NCAA tournament in six of the next seven seasons, thanks in part to the momentum Calipari created with that NIT run.

Memphis has not reached the NCAA tournament since 2014, a streak many expected to end when Hardaway took over before the 2018-19 season. However, James Wiseman's arrival was abruptly ended last season, and the program hasn't quite recruited at the level some expected with Hardaway leading the fold.

These Tigers reinvented themselves midway through the season, going 10-3 in their last 13 games of the regular season to narrowly miss the tournament. Two of those three losses came against Houston, a team that reached the Elite Eight over the weekend.

Memphis carried that momentum to North Texas for the NIT, winning three of its four games by double digits. The only close call was a three-point victory over Boise State in the Tigers' second game.

Memphis ran out to a 13-0 run to start the game against Ben Howland's Mississippi State team on Sunday, though the Tigers weren't able to keep that lead. The Bulldogs had evened the score at 33 by the break before Memphis pulled away with a stellar offensive performance in the second half.

Cameron Matthews led the way with 19 points for Mississippi State, which was playing in its first NIT final. 

Former NBA star Penny Hardaway has signed a five-year contract extension to continue as the head coach at the University of Memphis, the school announced Monday. 

The deal will pay out $12.25 million through the 2025-26 season.

Hardaway, who attended Memphis, has coached the Tigers since 2018. 

Penny Hardaway on his five-year extension: “Obviously I did not do this for the money. I did it for the love of my city and the love of my school. We have unfinished business.” pic.twitter.com/6hv4xLUW2W

— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) December 21, 2020

In an Instagram story, Hardaway acknowledged the extension but noted his return had nothing to do with the money.

Hardaway, who previously coached at the high school and AAU levels in the area following his retirement from the league in 2008, brought Memphis to a 22-14 season when he took over for Tubby Smith. Last season, he brought in a group of recruits that was ranked No. 1 nationwide, leading to a 21-10 campaign.

One of those recruits was James Wiseman, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Golden State Warriors, though Wiseman only played three games for the Tigers when he was handed a suspension by the NCAA for accepting money from Hardaway that helped fund a move to Memphis in 2017. Hardaway was considered a booster by the governing body because of a donation he made in 2008, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

"Coaching at Memphis is my dream job," Hardaway said. "I'm so thankful for the board of trustees, President Rudd, Laird Veatch and all of our loyal donors and fans for their continued support. Memphis basketball is in the national spotlight, and we are continuing to get better and better every day. The future is bright for the Tigers."

The Tigers are 5-3 so far this season. 

Memphis continues to add top prospects with 2022 guard Arterio Morris the latest to commit to the school.

Jason Munz of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported the news of Tuesday's verbal commitment.

Morris is considered a 5-star recruit and the No. 21 overall prospect in his class by the 247Sports composite rankings. He is rated as the fifth-best combo guard in the country.

The 6'3", 175-pound player has good athleticism for his age with the ability to attack the rim with consistency. His play was enough to pick up double-digit offers after just his sophomore season of high school, including from Kansas and Oregon.

The Texas native ended up choosing Memphis, giving head coach Penny Hardaway another top option for the AAC school.

Memphis had the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation in 2019, including top prospect James Wiseman, although he eventually withdrew from the school after a suspension from the NCAA. The squad had an up-and-down season without him while finishing with a 21-10 record.

The Tigers added 5-star prospect Moussa Cisse for the 2020 class, while Morris now gives the team a head start for 2022 with plenty of time to add more.

Moussa Cisse has chosen to stay home as the Memphis, Tennessee, native will be joining head coach Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers.

The 6'10" center told Jonathan Givony of ESPN: 

"Coach Penny Hardaway is a legend and can help me develop my game and take it to the next level. He has a lot of influence in the league. I've been in Memphis for a year now and everyone is telling me to stay. With all this stuff we're facing with the pandemic, I didn't get to go visit any other schools except Florida State. I'm getting a lot of love from the fans."

He also said he received an endorsement from former teammate Precious Achiuwa, who spent last year with the Tigers.

Cisse, who plays ball at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, was ranked as the ninth-best 2020 prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings. The native of Guinea is among 27 5-star recruits.

Though he was originally part of the 2021 class, Cisse told Givony in May that he reclassified as a member of the class of 2020, making the 220-pound shot-blocker eligible to play NCAA basketball in the 2020-21 season. He'll also be eligible for the 2021 NBA draft.

He had 16 offers, with the finalists including LSU, Georgia, Georgetown, Kentucky and Florida State. But the arrow pointed toward Memphis, with 247Sports' prediction leaning in that direction prior to the announcement.

Jerry Meyer, who is 247Sports' director of college basketball scouting, compared Cisse to Washington Wizards big man Thomas Bryant and offered the following report in January:

"Has a slender build with a long wingspan. Plays with energy and chip on his shoulder. Is a mobile athlete who will chase down the ball. Quality finisher around the rim. Is a tremendous rebounder. Limited in his offensive skill set at this point. Tough defender who is a top-level shot-blocker. First-rounder on length, athleticism and energy. Must develop offensive skills to be an impact NBA player."

Meyer also wrote that he believed Cisse would be a first-round NBA draft pick.

A Memphis man was arrested and charged with attempted murder after an alleged shooting that stemmed from an argument about University of Memphis head basketball coach Penny Hardaway. 

Per Eryn Taylor of WREG in Memphis, Tyrone Taylor is said to have shot his cousin in the chest after the two got into a debate "over whether or not Hardaway was a good coach."

Police responded to a call on July 3, when the alleged victim said the fight began as a "verbal altercation" before escalating to a point where Taylor "allegedly punched the man in the face before pulling out a gun and firing."

WREG's report noted that Taylor was formally charged with attempted second-degree murder, employment of a firearm and being a convicted felon in possession of a gun after being taken into custody on July 9. 

Hardaway was hired as the Tigers head coach in March 2018. He has gone 43-24 in two years and guided the team into the Associated Press Top 10 during the 2019-20 season for the first time since 2011-12. 

 

Mike Miller has resigned from his position as an assistant men's basketball coach on Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway's staff at the University of Memphis. 

In a post on Twitter, Miller wrote the "past few months have made me realize that it's time to spend more time focused on family and wherever the journey will take me next."

THANK YOU #GTG pic.twitter.com/pLKJ4vUKML

— Mike Miller (@MikeMiller_13) June 3, 2020

Miller has been a key member of Hardaway's staff for the past two seasons, with Evan Daniels of 247Sports noting he was the lead recruiter for Precious Achiuwa, Lester Quinones and Boogie Ellis.

"We will stay in touch, and I'm looking forward to him attending practices from time to time," Hardaway said in a statement after Miller announced his resignation, per Jason Munz of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. 

Miller has been an assistant at Memphis since Hardaway's first season with the school in 2018-19. 

In their two seasons with the Tigers, Miller and Hardaway turned the program into a recruiting hotbed. They had the top-ranked class in 2019, led by James Wiseman, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Memphis began the 2019-20 season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2013-14 and climbed as high as No. 9. 

Prior to working as an assistant coach, Miller had a successful 17-year NBA career from 2000 to '17. He won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and was named Sixth Man of the Year during the 2005-06 season while playing with the Memphis Grizzlies.