Latest news with #PennyHardaway
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs sign David Jones-Garcia, former Memphis basketball star, to two-way contract
The San Antonio Spurs signed David Jones-Garcia − a former Memphis basketball star − to a two-way contract on July 22, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move comes on the heels of a dominant showing by the one-time Tiger during NBA Summer League earlier this month in San Francisco (California Classic) and Las Vegas. The 6-4 guard, who went by David Jones throughout his collegiate career (which included one season, 2023-24, at Memphis), averaged 21.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Spurs in five summer league games in Las Vegas. His standout play earned him a spot on the All-Summer League First Team, which was also announced July 22. Jones-Garcia also averaged 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games at the California Classic. The Spurs have not yet announced the transaction. Jones-Garcia transferred to Memphis from St. John's prior to the 2023-24 season. He blossomed into a star under coach Penny Hardaway, averaging 21.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while connecting on 38% of his 3-point attempts, earning a first-team all-American Conference nod. With one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, Jones-Garcia opted instead to turn pro. He was not selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, instead signing a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. While he has not played in an NBA game, Jones-Garcia found plenty of success in the G League with the Mexico City Capitanes. He also played in two games for the Salt Lake City Stars. Jones-Garcia is one of several former Tigers who played under Hardaway who are currently signed to two-way contracts with NBA teams, alongside Lester Quinones, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Emoni Bates. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at follow him @munzly on X. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Spurs sign David Jones-Garcia, former Memphis star, to two-way deal
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Memphis basketball 2025-26 schedule: Tigers' American Conference pairings announced
The conference portion of the Memphis basketball 2025-26 schedule became a little clearer on July 23. The rebranded American Conference announced its schedule pairings for the 13 teams in the league. Each team will play 18 conference games − six home-and-home, three home-only and three away-only. Dates and tip-off times for the Tigers' conference games will be announced later, although the Tigers' American opener is set for Dec. 30. Memphis' conference slate didn't do much to help its March Madness resumé last season. The Tigers ranked No. 5 in non-conference strength of schedule and 160th in conference strength of schedule in 2024-25. But the American will give its defending champion and the only team to make the NCAA tournament as many quality opportunities as it can in 2025-26. Five of the six American teams Penny Hardaway and his Tigers will play twice finished in the top 150 of the NCAA's NET rankings − North Texas (No. 65), UAB (No. 106), FAU (No. 111), Wichita State (No. 134) and Tulane (No. 145). Memphis will also face South Florida, which was No. 189 in the NET last season but CBS Sports' preseason pick to win the ACC tournament, at home and on the road. Charlotte, Temple and UTSA are the Tigers' three home-only opponents, while East Carolina, Rice and Tulsa are their three away-only matchups. Memphis' non-conference schedule has not yet been finalized, but most of it is already in place − and, like last season, it sets up to be among the strongest in the nation: Home games: San Francisco (Nov. 8), UNLV (Nov. 16), New Orleans (TBA), Baylor (Dec. 6) and Vanderbilt (Dec. 17). Away games: Ole Miss (TBA), Louisville (Dec. 13), Mississippi State (Dec. 20) and Utah State (Feb. 14, 2026). Neutral-site games: Purdue (Nov. 20) and either Texas Tech or Wake Forest (Nov. 21) at the Baha Mar Hoops Challenge. Hardaway's Tigers have one non-conference opening that has not yet been announced. Memphis women's basketball American scheduling pairings The Memphis women's basketball program also announced its American scheduling pairings July 23. Alex Simmons' Tigers − who finished 10th in the league standings in 2024-25 − will meet each of these teams twice (at home and on the road): UAB, Charlotte, East Carolina, UTSA, Tulane and Wichita State. Their home-only opponents will be FAU, Rice and South Florida, while their away-only foes will be North Texas, Temple and Tulsa. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at follow him @munzly on X. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball schedule 2025-26: Tigers' American games set
Reuters
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
NCAA places Memphis basketball, softball on probation
July 17 - The NCAA has placed the University of Memphis athletic department on probation for two years and levied financial penalites because of academic integrity violations in the men's basketball and softball programs. An NCAA investigation found that an academic counselor paid two softball players to do classwork and provide test answers for a men's basketball player that they shared classes with during the 2023-24 season. Memphis already was on probation because of two previous infractions cases and will have the penalty extended through July 15, 2027. In addition, the university must pay a $30,000 fine and 1 percent of the combined budgets for the two sports. The Tigers basketball team vacated three wins over Wichita State, Temple and Tulane from the span between Jan. 25 and Feb. 18, 2024. The softball team was winless during that period. The NCAA report did not name basketball coach Penny Hardaway in the case, nor did it identify the student-athletes involved. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the men's player was forward Malcolm Dandridge, a fifth-year graduate student who was held out of the last five games of the 2023-24 season, and the softball players were catcher Ally Callahan and outfielder Aaliyah Dixon. The university fired academic advisor Leslie Brooks in February 2024, and the NCAA gave her a 10-year show-cause penalty, which can impact her ability to find another job in college athletes. The NCAA said Brooks paid the softball players $550 from her personal account to perform the schoolwork. A softball trainer overheard players on the team discussing the situation, according to the NCAA, and another softball player later reported it to the trainer and the head coach, who informed the administration. In an interview with university officials about paying the softball players to help Dandridge, Brooks admitted that she knew she was violating NCAA rules but he needed academic help and "she felt sorry for him," according to the NCAA report. The university negotiated the penalties with the NCAA's committee on infractions. "I would like to thank our staff who worked swiftly and collaboratively with the NCAA to take appropriate action and implement corrective measures," Memphis president Bill Hardgrave said in a prepared statement. "The University of Memphis is committed to a culture of compliance with all NCAA rules and will move our program forward accordingly." --Field Level Media
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
T-Mac reveals how Penny Hardaway was the biggest influence on him going to the Magic: "That was the inspiration"
T-Mac reveals how Penny Hardaway was the biggest influence on him going to the Magic: "That was the inspiration" originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Tracy McGrady hit free agency back in 2000, he had the entire league watching. A young, explosive scorer with size, athleticism, and that effortless smoothness to his game, T-Mac was ready to take the next step and become the centerpiece of a franchise. And while there were plenty of suitors lined up hoping to land him, for McGrady, the decision to join the Orlando Magic wasn't just about basketball. It was about coming home. Advertisement Growing up just outside Orlando in Auburndale, Florida, McGrady had always felt a connection to the hometown team in the Magic. But it wasn't until Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway came on the scene that young Tracy truly started to dream of donning that iconic blue and white uniform. Penny was an inspiration to many Long before he became a seven-time All-Star and one of the most gifted scorers of his era, McGrady was just another kid in Central Florida glued to the TV whenever the Magic played. And when Penny showed up? That's when it all clicked for the young hooper. "I grew up 35 miles from Orlando. When we got the Magic I became a Magic fan, but when we got Penny (Hardaway)... That's when I'm like, I saw myself in that uniform. Because I identify a lot of my game watching Penny. And that was the inspiration," McGrady shared with a touch of nostalgia. Advertisement For McGrady, Hardaway wasn't just another NBA star putting on a show for the whole bunch of fans. He was the guy he wanted to emulate so badly. He was the player who made kids believe they could do it too. And for T-Mac, who was already showing flashes of brilliance as a teenager, it was easy to see himself following in Penny's footsteps. So when the opportunity came to leave the Toronto Raptors, the franchise that took a chance on him when he was just a teenager, and pick his next destination, McGrady knew immediately where to go. It wasn't just about playing ball; it was about chasing a childhood dream. McGrady's time with the Raptors had proven he could hang with the big boys. But he wanted more. He wanted his own team. And the thought of doing that back home, where it all started, wearing the same uniform as his idol? That sealed it. "So when I got the opportunity, it was a no-brainer to come back home, put on that uniform like my idol. That's what it was," the retired high-flyer added. Advertisement Related: Michael Jordan shows off his $115 million luxurious superyacht in Croatia Tracy became the Magic icon And come home he did. From the moment he arrived in Florida, it was clear the same kid who watched his idols donning that same jersey was ready to take matters into his own hands. McGrady went on to have four spectacular seasons with the Magic, winning two scoring titles and putting together some of the most jaw-dropping individual performances the franchise had ever seen. Sure, the Magic didn't have the playoff success they'd hoped for during T-Mac's run. But for fans in Orlando, there was something special about watching a hometown kid live out his long-awaited dream. Advertisement Even though he never got his childhood team to the promised land, or, quite frankly, anywhere near it, T-Mac became the man in the Association. Just like Penny, for a brief moment, until injuries struck, was. Even that alone is worth the respect. Related: Matt Barnes has a problem with all the Kobe slander in the past couple of years: "None of this weird talk was happening while he was here" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Boston Globe
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Five things to know about Celtics forward Josh Minott
At 22, Minott is a young player. The Celtics are taking a chance on him based on upside, rather than current production. Here are five things to know about the new Celtics forward. Penny Hardaway coached him in college Minott played one season at Memphis and was coached by four-time NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway. He was the third-highest ranked recruit in Memphis's 2021 class behind Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren. Advertisement Minott averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game. Memphis lost to Chet Holmgren-led Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Hornets drafted Minott 45th in 2022 and traded him to the Timberwolves on draft night. Related : He can score, but his 3-point shot needs work The Celtics took an eye-popping 48.2 3-pointers per game last season, the most in the league by far. They likely won't be relying on Minott to take many threes. Minott had just 14 3-point attempts during his college career. He made two of them. Minott has increased his 3-point workload during his time in the G-League, taking 4.1 per game last season, but his percentage consistently hovered around 30 percent during his time in Iowa. He is a career 33.9 percent 3-point shooter in the NBA, but that's with fewer than one attempt per game. Advertisement Minott is at his best when he can get to the rim and use his leaping ability. He shot 50.7 percent from the field last season. The best shot for him is often a dunk. He has a rare nickname Minott's nickname, 'The Lawn Mower,' is a nod to his motor. He 'Overall, I felt like I just got into the groove of things,' he said. 'It's like a lawn mower. Once I got going, just kept going.' He was teammates with another new Celtic Both players are affordable options. Minott signed a two-year, $5 million deal. Garza signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal. Shedding salary was a priority for the Celtics this offseason. With the additions of Minott, Garza, and Related : He represents Jamaica in international play Minott is from Boca Raton, Fla., but he competes internationally with Jamaica and was its leading scorer in the 2019 Centrobasket U17 championship. Clippers guard Norman Powell has also committed to the team. Twin brothers Ausar and Amen Thompson have said they are considering playing for the Jamaican national team, but have not yet made a decision. Advertisement Khari Thompson can be reached at
