Memphis basketball mailbag: How Penny Hardaway is approaching the transfer portal this year

It's no secret Memphis basketball has its work cut out again building a roster this offseason.

But who coach Penny Hardaway will bring in to fill all the open spots remains a bit of a mystery. And when. And how.

The Tigers are expected to have nine open scholarships to work with this offseason. It could be more depending on what happens with David Jones, Nicholas Jourdain, Ashton Hardaway and Carl Cherenfant. That number could also fluctuate the other direction if Memphis decides to put point guard Joe Cooper on scholarship.

Either way, the hottest topic of every offeseason is recruiting (whether it be in the more traditional sense or the kind that involves the transfer portal). The biggest difference this time, though, will be how the Tigers' coaching staff operates. With that in mind, let's dig into this week's Tiger basketball mailbag:

Do the Tigers have a priority list for recruiting? Hopefully it won't drag out into July, August and beyond. — Roy Bishop, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

They do, indeed.

Various reports have indicated Memphis has already started working the portal. Some of the more recent names in the transfer pool the Tigers are reportedly interested in are 6-6 James Madison senior wing Terrence Edwards Jr. (17.2 points per game, 34.3% from three, 3.4 assists per game), 6-5 Drake sophomore guard Kevin Overton (10.6 ppg, 29.6 minutes per game), and 6-4 Wichita State senior guard Colby Rogers (16.4 ppg, 40.9% from three, school-record 99 made 3-pointers).

As far as timing goes, the approach previously included casting a wide net while also not necessarily being in much of a hurry to get things buttoned up. But Hardaway and Co. are angling toward being more selective in their pursuit of new players while also working to get the bulk of the roster in order before late July.

Will we get any commits soon? Also, does Yaxel Lendeborg staying at UAB maybe mean David Jones isn't coming back? — Matthew Cobbs, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

I guess this largely depends on how you define "soon."

Here's the thing: Hardaway and his staff like some of their options currently in the transfer portal. Do they love any of them? Maybe. But, if they were completely enamored by anyone at this point, it's likely the Tigers would have either already had someone in for a visit or landed a commitment.

Hardaway is going into this offseason intent on not taking a player just to take a player. Patience and determination will be key in defining the next few months.

As far as the second part of the question: let's try not to jump to too many conclusions in one breath.

Will Penny look to recuit freshmen?— George Snyder, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

For his next team? This offseason? Highly unlikely.

First off, it's almost April and there are only four recruits in the top 130 (according to 247 Sports' rankings) that are uncommitted. And three of those four are already predicted to go elsewhere.

Memphis has already signed Jared Harris, a 6-2 combo guard out of Silsbee (Texas). The 4-star prospect (per 247 Sports Composite) is ranked 109th in the 2024 class. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.6 steals per game as a senior.

Unless there is a big swerve in the offing, I expect Harris will be the only high school player the Tigers will sign in the 2024 class.

Any updates on Malcolm Dandridge? — Eric Gruen, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

There is nothing new to report on the Malcolm Dandridge front − yet.

Things have been quiet since The Commercial Appeal reported on March 17 that Leslie Brooks, the former academic advisor for the men's basketball program, was fired the day before the school announced Dandridge was being withheld from competition while a review of his eligibility status was conducted.

MEMPHIS BASKETBALL MAILBAG: David Jones, transfer portal targets, coaching staff moves

Estimating a timeline on matters like these is tricky.

With Rick Stansbury back in the fold, do you expect more staff changes? — Dedrick Phillips, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group

I expected significant changes to Hardaway's staff even before The Commercial Appeal broke the news that assistant coach Rick Stansbury intends to return for a second season with the Tigers.

I still expect that will be the case. And, as mentioned in the previous mailbag, there won't be just one or two changes.

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 mailbag: Penny Hardaway's transfer portal approach