Memphis basketball mailbag: Will Penny Hardaway add to Tigers' roster, Andre Turner's title, more

Penny Hardaway's quest to round out his 2024-25 Memphis basketball roster has dragged into July.

The majority of it is in place. But there are at least three open scholarships. The Tigers were holding out hope one would go to senior guard Caleb Mills on the basis that his season-ending injury on Jan. 4, would make him eligible for a medical hardship waiver.

But the NCAA denied the initial request in May, then denied the appeal earlier this week.

So, what's next? With that in mind, let's get into this week's Memphis basketball mailbag.

Will there be any more additions to the roster this summer? — Finley Stubbs, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

It would be extremely unwise for the Tigers to stand pat with only nine scholarship players currently signed. So, odds are Hardaway will add more players to the roster.

Memphis might still sign freshman guard Daniel Vieira-Tuck, but the Texas-born player is only committed at present.

The bigger questions are who will Hardaway add, when, and where they will come from. The answer to the first two is unclear − although, the expectation is at least one of them will be a wing (a 3-point shooter with some size) and, possibly, another big man.

As far as where the Tigers will find these players: everything is on the table. The transfer portal is the most obvious source. But the program is also scoping out the international ranks. In fact, Memphis recently had a representative in Istanbul for the FIBA U17 World Championships.

Is there time to get another backup center? There is no height other than Moussa Cisse. — Eddie Amos, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

Sure, there's time. But I have a feeling the Tigers like what they have at the center position.

Cisse is listed at 7-0. No other player on the current roster is listed as taller than 6-9. That includes Dain Dainja, Nicholas Jourdain (both 6-9) and Tyreek Smith (6-8).

Having another player closer to Cisse's height would probably bring some peace of mind for Hardaway and the coaching staff. But, even if they could find a player with good size, chances are the return on investment would be minimal.

Who are the primary recruiters now besides Penny? — Alan Baker, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

Most everyone on the coaching staff contributes in some fashion to recruiting.

But, as far as active recruiting goes, Hardaway, his assistant coaches (led by Rick Stansbury) and recruiting coordinator Jeremy Kipness handle most of those responsibilities.

Speaking of Hardaway's coaching staff, Andre Turner's hire has officially been made. The Memphis great, who helped the Tigers reach the Final Four in 1985, will serve as the director of player/alumni relations.

The program also recently hired Cedric Prowell as its new equipment manager. He comes to Memphis from Marshall. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama, native has also worked for Duke. Before that, he served as a strength and conditioning coach at Ohio State and Alabama.

Where are we with a strength coach hire? How has it changed our offseason workout? — Bryan Roberts, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

The job was formally posted last week.

Until a replacement for Darby Rich is named, Nic Higgins (strength coach for the Tigers' Olympic sports) and Darrell Turner (senior associate athletic director for sports medicine) are handling Tiger basketball's strength and conditioning program.

MEMPHIS BASKETBALL IN 2024-25: 3 signs of hope and 3 reasons to hold your breath

Are the Tigers working on any more schedule additions and, if so, who is in the pipeline? — Frederick McDale, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

There are still three regular-season non-conference games that have not yet been announced. But the expectation is those games will be buy games against mid-major or low-major opponents.

Last month, Louisville assistant coach Brian Kloman said the Cardinals are "working really hard on a four-year series with Memphis." If it works out, Kloman also indicated that series would start in the 2025-26 season.

Hardaway has also never shied away from his desire to get Arkansas back on the schedule.

But nothing has been finalized with those or any other future regular-season, non-conference opponents.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball: Will Penny Hardaway add to Tigers 2024-25 roster?