Penny Hardaway, the Memphis men's basketball coach, is focusing on defensive toughness as he builds the roster for the 2025-26 season. Hardaway indicated a shift in strategy, prioritizing players known for defensive ability and a scrappy approach to the game.
This direction represents a return to the type of teams Hardaway coached earlier in his tenure, which featured highly-ranked defenses. The 2023-24 Tigers team ranked 104th in adjusted defensive efficiency, a drop from previous years.
Several new additions to the roster fit this defensive mold. Point guards Dug McDaniel, from Michigan and Kansas State, and Dante Harris, who is expected to return, are known for disrupting opposing ball handlers. McDaniel has 121 steals in 92 career games, while Harris has 108 steals in 95 career games.
Quante Berry, a guard transfer from Temple, earned praise for his perimeter defense and turnover creation, recording 51 steals in 58 games. Zachary Davis, a 6-7 wing who spent three seasons at South Carolina, also possesses a reputation as a tough, defensive-minded player, with 78 steals in 95 career games.
Memphis native Julius Thedford, a guard who transferred from Western Kentucky, also made a strong defensive impression as a freshman. He often guarded the opponent's top ball handler and registered 11 steals in 18 games.
Beyond the defensive focus, Hardaway continues to address roster needs through the transfer portal. The team still has open scholarships, particularly in the frontcourt. Aaron Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 big man who previously played at Kentucky and Ohio State, is a notable addition. Opinions from opposing coaches regarding Bradshaw vary, with some highlighting his potential while others note areas for improvement in physicality and consistency.
While the roster is not yet complete, the initial additions signal a clear direction. Hardaway stated his mentality is set on building a defensive-minded group centered on toughness.
The university recently announced dates for June Penny Hardaway Basketball Camps. These include Day Camps for boys ages 8-16, a Team Camp, a High School Elite Camp, and a Middle School Elite Camp. Hardaway is coming off a season where he led Memphis to a 26-9 record and was named AAC Coach of the Year. Memphis basketball formally asks NCAA for another season for Tigers big man Dain Dainja as the team navigates roster options. Guard PJ Haggerty and big man Dain Dainja face future uncertainty.
Julius Thedford, a Memphis native, expressed his alignment with the coach's desired style. “I don’t look at it as it’s all about scoring the ball,” he said. “It’s both sides of it. So, we talked about just coming in and being a dog. Doing what it takes to win. Rebounding, getting on the floor, guarding the best player. Just being a dog.”
