Cordova star KJ Tenner has interest in Memphis basketball. Is Penny Hardaway interested in him?

KJ Tenner has pictured himself in a Memphis basketball uniform, and he is not afraid to admit it.

“Every kid from the city would love to be able to represent their college team,” Cordova’s star point guard told The Commercial Appeal on Tuesday.

But when Tenner – this year’s Class 4A Mr. Basketball and the city’s unofficial No. 1 senior – was ready to put a pin in his recruiting process, he had not received an offer from Tigers coach Penny Hardaway. So, last September, the undersized (5-foot-10) prospect committed to Drake.

Fast-forward to last week: Tenner announced he was reopening his recruitment after Drake’s head coach, Darian DeVries, was named head coach at West Virginia.

Since then, the undersized (5-foot-10) but no less productive (21.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game) Tenner has fielded new recruiting pitches from plenty of coaches ready to capitalize. James Madison, Appalachian State, Saint Louis, Central Arkansas and, of course, West Virginia have all thrown their hats into the ring for Tenner.

Memphis has not. Tenner said Tuesday he has heard second- or third-hand that Hardaway, who currently has at least seven open scholarships, will make contact with him.

“But I’m not sure until we hear from Penny himself or an assistant coach or something,” said Tenner. “You know, I’m homegrown Memphis – I would think I would hear something. So, maybe? Maybe not.

“I’m thankful for every coach that’s interested in recruiting me and offering me. So, I’d be very thankful for that. But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”

Some Memphis fans have become increasingly vocal as the number of players on the Tigers’ roster with direct ties to the city has dwindled in recent seasons. Hardaway’s early recruiting classes were rich with local flavor, boasting the likes of Alex Lomax, Tyler Harris, James Wiseman and Malcolm Dandridge.

But the last time Hardaway brought in a scholarship player from the area was 2021 when Chandler Lawson transferred from Oregon and Johnathan Lawson flipped his commitment to Memphis from Oregon. Both players transferred out after two seasons. Before that, it was Jeffries in 2019.

Hardaway’s 2023-24 roster included Dandridge (a former East High star), his oldest son, Jayden, who played one season at East, and walk-on guard Joe Cooper (who prepped at Olive Branch).

The Tigers tried landing big-name Class of 2024 recruits and Memphis natives Curtis Givens III and Billy Richmond. But they signed with LSU and Kentucky, respectively.

Tenner has heard the rumblings regarding the lack of local representation at Memphis.

“I’ve seen the comments about ‘not enough Memphis guys,’ ” he said. “But you don’t really see too many Memphis guys get recruited by Memphis. So, I wouldn’t really be shocked if I don’t hear anything from them.”

Tenner considers himself a cross between Lomax and Harris, who were both smaller guards that made significant impacts on both defense and offense during their Tigers careers.

“I try to do a little of everything – play hard defensively, hustle, rebound,” Tenner said. “If I have to score 20, I will. If I have to get 20 steals, I will. Whatever helps my team win.”

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Tenner hopes to make up his mind within the next week or 10 days. He said he could see himself following DeVries to West Virginia. But ultimately, it’s about finding the right fit.

“Every kid’s dream is to make the NCAA Tournament,” he said. “So, going to a situation that’s capable of winning. But, also, going to a place where I can be myself – the happy, joyful person I am at all times. Somewhere I can grow as a person and an athlete. And going somewhere that loves little guards.”

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: Is Memphis basketball interested in Cordova star KJ Tenner?