What Memphis basketball’s recent wave of visitors reveals about Penny Hardaway’s plans

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Penny Hardaway, after slowing things down during the NCAA-mandated recruiting dead period, got right back to business last week.

The seventh-year Memphis basketball coach brought a number of prospective transfers in for official visits, so far scoring one commitment in Wichita State sharpshooter Colby Rogers. The 6-4 Covington, Georgia., native joins another reconstructed Tigers roster that is gradually taking shape. Hardaway has also welcomed transfers PJ Haggerty (6-3 guard) and Dain Dainja (6-10 center). He also has incoming 4-star freshman guard Jared Harris set to arrive this summer.

Besides Rogers, Memphis hosted North Texas wing Aaron Scott (6-7), and it is expected to bring in Sam Houston State guard Davon Barnes (a former Collierville standout), FIU point guard Arturo Dean and North Texas guard John Buggs III for visits this week.

So, what does this flurry of activity over the past couple of weeks indicate about Hardaway’s plans for the 2024-25 season?

Penny Hardaway wants more shooters

Since Hardaway became coach in 2018, the Tigers have never finished in the top 50 in the nation in 3-point shooting.

Memphis’ best season beyond the arc was 2020-21, when it made 36.3% of its 3-point attempts and ranked 58th in Division I. The team’s long range percentage has gone down every season since, culminating in a 35% success rate last season.

Bringing in Rogers is a major sign that Hardaway is emphasizing 3-point shooting. Before shooting 40.9% from deep at Wichita State (25th in the country) and making 99 triples (17th in the nation), Rogers had the seventh-best 3-point field goal percentage (42.9%) in Division I at Siena in 2021-22.

Scott, while primarily known as a top-notch defender, also brings high-level shooting to the table. He shot 37% from the line last season (44-of-119). As a sophomore, while he was considerably less active beyond the arc (only 47 attempts), Scott hit on 40.4%.

Barnes, in his only season at Sam Houston State, shot 39.1% from 3-point range (59-of-151)….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/memphis-basketballs-recent-wave-visitors-100921100.html

Author : The Commercial Appeal

Publish date : 2024-04-16 10:09:21

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