After Penny Hardaway was named head coach of the Memphis Tigers, he posted a picture of himself on social media saying he was “getting to work.” Less than two weeks later, Hardaway has two commits to the University of Memphis, including his son Jayden Hardaway.
Hardaway is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who previously played under his father at Memphis East High School. He attended IMG Academy in Florida this past season. He is Penny’s first commitment and will be on scholarship, not a walk-on as many people suspected.
“I would like to thank God and my family for helping me make this decision,” Jayden Hardaway posted on his Instagram account. “It is with great excitement that I am announcing my commitment to both of my parents Alma Mater, the University of Memphis.”
Penny landed his second commit Wednesday — Alex Lomax, a 5-foot-10 point guard who also played under Penny at East High. Initially, he committed to Wichita State University, but then he was granted a release not long after the announcement of Penny as the new U of M coach.
Lomax is a four-star commit who played on three state-championship teams during his tenure at East. Lomax and Jayden Hardaway were once teammates at East.
“A special thank you to coach Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway and staff for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this great tradition,” Lomax posted on his Twitter account.
Two freshman Tigers have also decided to transfer. Jamal Johnson, a shooting guard, and David Nickleberry, a small forward, both announced on social media they were transferring from the U of M.
“I have decided to request my release from the University of Memphis,” Johnson said in his Twitter post. “With that decision, I have decided to open up my recruitment process, and continue my academic career elsewhere.”
Johnson thanked former head coach Tubby Smith in the post as well. He averaged 6.9 points per game and had a career-high of 18 points, which he matched three times this season.
Despite the transfers, many Tiger fans are still excited about the incoming players. Derick Poindexter, a senior accounting major and East High alumnus, said having a local recruit like Lomax is great because the program is in transition.
“I believe that he is a big building block for the program on its turnaround,” Poindexter said. “And also with Lomax being a hometown guy, it will help other Memphis high school players stay home.”
Poindexter also believes these commitments can be the start of something bigger.
“We got a deep talent pool all across the city, especially at East,” Poindexter said. “This is just what the program needs to help get the ball rolling and potentially bring in dudes like James Wiseman or D.J. Jeffries for next year.”
People packed the Laurie Walton Center Friday to see Penny Hardaway introduced as the men's basketball coach. Hardaway follows Tubby Smith who was fired after two seasons.
Penny Hardaway and Tom Bowen held up the jersey. Hardaway wore number 25 as a guard for Memphis.
