Memphis Basketball Looks to Fill Key Roster Needs

Coach Penny Hardaway eyes transfer portal to address multiple roster gaps

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:30am

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With the college basketball transfer portal opening soon, Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway has several key roster needs to address for the upcoming season. The Tigers have relied heavily on the transfer market in recent years to build their roster, and this offseason will be no different as Hardaway looks to fill multiple holes left by departing players.

Why it matters

Memphis basketball has been a consistent contender in the American Athletic Conference, but the Tigers have struggled to maintain roster continuity in recent seasons due to high player turnover. Hardaway will need to navigate the transfer portal effectively to ensure the team remains competitive and can challenge for an NCAA Tournament berth.

The details

The Tigers have several areas of need, including finding a replacement for their starting point guard, adding depth in the frontcourt, and improving their perimeter shooting. Hardaway will be scouring the transfer portal for experienced players who can step in and contribute immediately.

  • The college basketball transfer portal opens on April 15, 2026.
  • Memphis' 2026-27 season will tip off in November 2026.

The players

Penny Hardaway

The head coach of the Memphis Tigers basketball team, who has relied heavily on the transfer portal to build his roster since taking over the program in 2018.

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What’s next

Hardaway and his coaching staff will begin actively recruiting transfer targets as soon as the portal opens, with the goal of having the roster filled out by the start of the 2026-27 season in November.

The takeaway

Memphis' reliance on the transfer portal highlights the challenges mid-major programs face in maintaining roster continuity in the modern college basketball landscape. Hardaway will need to navigate the portal effectively to ensure the Tigers remain competitive in the American Athletic Conference.