Memphis – The University of Memphis is currently facing serious allegations surrounding its men’s basketball program, as it has recently handed over an anonymous letter to the NCAA claiming multiple violations. Among the central allegations is that head coach Penny Hardaway paid substantial sums to secure the commitments of two players between 2020 and 2022.
According to the letter, which has caught the attention of sports analysts, Hardaway allegedly made a $30,000 payment to a prep school coach to secure a player’s commitment in 2020. Additionally, another accusation states that Hardaway committed to pay $60,000 for the commitment of another player in 2022, even though this player never actually played for the Tigers.
The allegations do not stop there. The letter also claims that there was substantial academic misconduct taking place within the program. Earlier this year, the program’s academic advisor was fired and player Malcolm Dandridge was suspended due to potential academic violations. In fact, the letter mentions a scheme in which four players allegedly paid others to complete assignments on their behalf.
This news broke just after Hardaway announced the departure of four staff members, including his lead assistant. As Memphis tries to find a new direction, Hardaway now has vacancies to fill with less than two months until the start of the new season.
Despite past success, including a 133-62 record since his hiring, Hardaway’s tenure has been riddled with scandals. He faced a previous suspension related to impermissible recruiting visits in 2023. Now, the program is under closer scrutiny again, raising questions about its future and direction.
As the countdown to the new season begins, Memphis and Hardaway are at a critical juncture, needing to address these allegations and improve their performance on the court amid persistent turnover within the program.
