Recently, Memphis’ creative community converged at the annual Evolution Pop Culture Education Summit.
Hosted by Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis at the Power Center Academy on March 23, the event aimed to uplift and empower local creatives in a celebration of positive artistic expression.
The summit showcased a diverse array of talent, with panel discussions featuring celebrated comic book creator Martheus Wade, wrestler Dustin Starr, cartoonist Katie Jones, and 3D printing specialist Larry Evans. Conversations explored topics such as AI’s evolving role in art, pathways into creative careers, and the sources of artistic inspiration.
Scenes from the Evolution Pop Culture Summit (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State...
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Ladell Beamon on the 1s and 2s (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
“We believe that art can change the culture of the city if we are responsible with the gifts that God has given us,” said LaDell Beamon, founder of Heal the Hood Foundation.
“Many times, we see art that is an expression of anger, violence, drugs, and degrading behavior that affects the way children see their future being celebrated and awarded,” Beamon continued. “The summit changes the narrative by giving creatives a platform to create and celebrate art that isn’t agenda-driven.”
The event kicked off with an energetic performance by the Kirby High School Marching Band and featured additional performances by Preacher Man, Rell Meyers & Ruby, B-Radical & R-Love, and event co-host Ken Ken Worldwide.
Project Manager Natasha Clay Hill played a vital role in organizing the successful event, which included a variety of engaging vendors and food trucks for attendees to enjoy. Sponsorship from Attorney Angela Green and State Representative Karen Camper provided key support for the summit.
Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using arts and media science to enact positive change in the region. To learn more about the foundation or donate, visit www.hthmemphis.org or call 901-566-0743.
The Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis (PBWM) announced Thursday that it is offering grants of up to $5,000 to local nonprofits focused on economic self-sufficiency within Shelby County.
Eligible organizations, which must possess a 501(c)(3) status and operate on an annual budget of less than $250,000, are invited to apply for this annual funding opportunity.
Sharon Devine Harris, president of PBWM, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting the community.
“It is our responsibility to give back to the community that has given us so much,” Harris said. “Our members look forward to reviewing the applications and awarding grants to organizations providing exceptional support to our residents.”
The grants aim to bolster efforts in career development, education, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and health, reflecting PBWM’s broader mission to foster economic empowerment. However, the organization clarified that it would not fund individuals, for-profit entities, churches, or initiatives promoting religious activities. Additionally, projects must not start before the grant process completion and must comply with federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws concerning equal employment opportunities.
Interested nonprofits can access grant applications now, with a deadline set for April 26, 2024.
The selection process will include application reviews, with interviews to be conducted by May 1. Finalists will be announced by May 15, and the grant recipients will be revealed on May 31, 2024.
About Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis:
Founded in January 2005, PBWM is a group of eight progressive and civic-minded women dedicated to contributing positively to their community. The organization, privately funded by its members, focuses on initiatives that promote community growth and individual empowerment in Memphis.
Ja Morant acted in self-defense when a teenager accused the two-time NBA All-Star of punching him during a pickup game at the home of the Memphis Grizzlies guard’s parents in 2022, a judge has ruled.
Shelby County Court Circuit Judge Carol Chumney cited Tennessee law on when the issue of self-defense can be raised, and she wrote in a ruling issued Monday that Morant “enjoys a presumption of civil immunity.”
The judge wrote that “a provocateur generally cannot invoke self-defense; if you start a fight, then you should be ready to finish it” under Tennessee law. She also noted the only provocateur in this situation was the plaintiff, Joshua Holloway, with everyone else just wanting to play basketball.
Mike Miller, a former NBA player who was at the house when the fight occurred, testified that Holloway hitting Morant “in the face with a basketball ‘kind of started everything,’” the judge wrote in the ruling.
Additional evidence backed up that claim, and none contradicted it, the judge wrote.
The lawsuit filed by Holloway accuses Morant of assaulting him during a pickup game on July 26, 2022. Then 17, Holloway had been invited to play at the private full-sized court of the Morant family. Holloway now plays basketball for Samford.
Morant claimed he was defending himself after Holloway aggressively threw the basketball at him with a one-handed, baseball-style pass that hit him in the face during a check-ball situation. A “check” is a common practice in pickup games in which two opposing players pass the ball to each other to see if their teammates are ready, often before starting a game or after a foul.
Now 24, Morant testified during a December hearing that he was worried about getting hurt after the teen bumped him in the chest, balled his fists and got into a fighting stance before Morant punched Holloway.
Morant’s childhood friend, Davonte Pack, also is a defendant in the lawsuit. Pack has acknowledged punching Holloway once and knocking him to the ground. Morant was not charged criminally, but Pack was charged with misdemeanor assault. That charge was later dismissed.
The December hearing centered on Morant’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit under Tennessee’s so-called “stand your ground” law.
The NBA player’s lawyers argued Morant is immune from liability under the law allowing people who feel threatened at their homes to act with force in certain situations. The law is used in criminal cases, but an earlier ruling by this same judge cleared the way for Morant’s lawyers to apply it in the civil case.
The ruling also noted testimony that Holloway had been allowed inside the Morant home to watch TV, play video games or help himself to food.
Morant tore the labrum in his right shoulder in early January, a season-ending injury that required surgery to a season that started with Morant suspended by the NBA for the first 25 games for a video of the guard flashing a handgun online.
The video showed Morant sitting in the passenger seat of a car and was posted after he finished serving an eight-game suspension in March for another video in which he displayed a handgun in a Denver-area strip club.
Staring down a $10 million sinkhole nestled in the fiscal year 2023 budget, “baffled” Memphis City Council members unanimously approved a funding resolution to bridge a payroll shortfall for Memphis Fire Department employees during the Tuesday, April 10 meeting.
Had the council waffled on the measure, 101 MFD new employees would have gone without checks the next pay cycle. An investigation is expected.
“If we say no to this, than people – firefighters, who put their lives on the line for our community – don’t get paid. So we’re being held over a barrel now because nobody updated us for the last year,” warned City Council member Jerri Green.
According to leaders in Mayor Paul Young’s administration, knowledge of the arrears dated back to the first quarter of the fiscal year – former Mayor Jim Strickland’s final term. The revelation occurred during the council’s Budget & Audit Committee meeting. The operating budget’s first quarter began in late October.
“During the course of the year, as we execute the budget, we start to discover anomalies and things that need to be addressed and adjusted. As part of this year’s process, one of the things we discussed and discovered was that we under-budgeted by a great amount, for fire services,” said City of Memphis chief financial officer Walter Person.
Attempts by the past administration to cover the costs within the budget’s parameters also failed.
He was joined by General Services Director Antonio Adams and MFD Chief Gina Sweat in delivering the news on the low-ball payroll estimate. The latter was cleared of any wrongdoing during the late-running quarterly update.
“I fully intend to send a letter – and I’m going to have our attorney do it – requesting discovery on emails and communications related to this, if they exist,” Committee Chair Chase Carlisle announced to the full council.
“Because it is not tenable to have that kind of direction be given and put the Young Administration and this body in the position it was placed in – if and when that was really known. And if and when direction was given to suppress it.”
The resolution’s sponsor left the council chamber after the remarks without voting.
It was the first reading of the resolution. Same night minutes were used. Voting in favor of the outlay were members Ford Canale, Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, Edmund Ford, Sr., Jerri Green, Michlyn Easter-Thomas, Rhonda Logan, Philip Spinosa, Jana Swearengen-Washington, Pearl Walker, Jeff Warren, Janika White and chairman JB Smiley.
In addition to the $9.6 million to cover payroll for the remainder of the fiscal year, another $2.8 million will be used to purchase materials and supplies.
To pay the tab, the money will be taken from the annual budget’s rainy day fund. The withdrawal will take the balance down to $103 million “and change.” The reserve hasn’t been touched since the last budget cycle.
“It’s about a $11-12 million hit to the fund balance,” said Person.
Both manpower and equipment were under-budgeted for the year by the previous administration.
Carlisle backed off an earlier proposal to cleave the two. The rejected amendment would have allowed the payroll portion to proceed to a vote. Funding for the materials and supplies, meanwhile, would have been reliant on a letter from the Young administration further clarifying the situation.
It also would have rendered a life-saving department temporarily underequipped.
“There’s a certain urgency that’s involved in this. Like I said, it was raised to our attention, really, during the first quarter of the fiscal year. The position is we’re coming to a point where we need to address it now because of budget shortfalls and potential fund issues that may impact the fire services division,” said Person.
The discrepancy will resonate, too, as Mayor Paul Young readies to present his first budget to the council next week.
“That’s going to be recurring…So, this is a nearly $10 million miss that we’re going to have to budget in and keep budgeting in,” said Green.
Council issues with the former Strickland administration – including complaints of being treated like a “rubber stamp” – aren’t unheard of.
In December, the former Mayor informed Smiley that he instructed Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis not to follow recently-passed ordinances curbing law enforcement procedures. The council passed updated policies following the death of Tyre Nichols.
Davis, who is currently serving on an interim basis, denied the letter’s allegations. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a state law banning the new rules, ending the matter.
Carlisle commended the Young Administration for its engagement with the council and constituents..
“This administration is committed to being more proactive in communicating with the public and the council.”
Little Lee Eric watches as the moon moves across the path of the Sun. The Smiths took in the eclipse at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
I first started planning to take the family on an “eclipse road trip” back in February. I thought that was early, but in fact, it was too late. And by too late, I mean, “too late to get a room or cabin in Arkansas for less than $600 a night.”
So then, the plan shifted to a day trip to the “totality zone” — the areas of the country that would experience a total blackout of the sun. Memphis was close — like 99 percent close. But Jonesboro, Ark.? Inside the totality.
I was asked, “Why drive over there if Memphis is 99 percent?” My reply?: “My next chance to see a total eclipse in the U.S., I’ll be 75 years old. If all I gotta do is drive an hour and a half up to Jonesboro, why wouldn’t I do that?”
But more fundamentally for me anyway, was the chance to share the experience with my exceptionally bright grade school son. How bright? Let’s just say one of his opening lines when he’s meeting other kids is a gleeful “Would you like to learn about trigonometry?” No, seriously.
Anyway, I missed all of these little moments with my daughter, who will soon be 18. The way things worked out with my ex-wife, I’ve had little time to be a dad to her. And even with my son (a different mother), I’d been working out of town for a while and wistful about missing moments with him. So the eclipse was a great chance to create a lifetime memory — for both of us.
Apple Maps says the trip to Jonesboro is about an hour and a half, with light traffic. With untold thousands road tripping like us, there was no light traffic. But it wasn’t awful either; we left Memphis right around 10 a.m., and with a couple of pit stops for food and bathrooms, we touched down in Jonesboro at about 12:20 p.m.
We were not prepared, however. It’s not that we forgot the eclipse glasses, it’s that . . . Okay, we DID forget to get eclipse glasses. And I wondered if they’d be hard to come by with less than two hours before the totality. Wal-Mart’s GOT to have them, right? It’s WAL-MART!
“We’re sold out,” is what the worker told us. Employees had been given pairs to wear, but they were officially sold out. I was prepared to pay a “price-gouging” premium to get a pair, but a couple of the workers were very kind to give them to us.
So now where would we go to witness this? We decided on the campus of Arkansas State University, where several dozen students, staff and faculty laid out on the lawn in front of the Student Union for the show in the sky. Not surprisingly, we learned we weren’t the only Memphians in town for the eclipse.
Taylor Williams, host of “The Taylor and Amy Show” about retro technology, shows little Lee and a new friend how the Astroscan can show the eclipse (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
We met Taylor Williams, who brought her Astroscan Telescope to take in the view. If you were one of those people cutting a hole in a cardboard box to watch a projection of the eclipse, well this telescope was the high-tech version of that.
That candy apple red contraption projected a large real-time crystal clear projection of the eclipse onto a sheet of paper that provided a teachable moment I made sure my son took advantage of.
As the skies grew darker, we started noticing the shadows — how crisp they were, how surreal the lighting was, and how you could see the sun’s shrinking crescent on the shadows on the ground. I glanced over at the Astroscan, as the light went away, and viewers started counting down as the totality overtook us:
I don’t know what it was like in Memphis. Maybe 99 percent of the totality is really really cool. But just like even a small light can light up an otherwise dark room, I imagine that Memphis still felt like daytime — maybe like an overcast day at sunset, but still daytime.
But at ASU, it was dark. Street lights came on. We could see out across the horizon that sunlight was hitting somewhere, but not where we were. And there was a sense of shared experience — that we were experiencing this rare event along with others we’d never met before and likely would never see again.
It’s true: NO PHOTO can do the moment justice, not even the fancy NASA photos. You really HAD to be there. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
With the sun blocked out, I did look up. I did take off my eclipse glasses because you can do that inside the totality. It was stunning to see a glowing black disk hanging in the sky. I’d try to put more words to it, but I can’t. Which was kind of the point of going anyway.
It was about the experience. Not just the experience of the eclipse itself, either.
It was about doing something together as a family. It was about the experience of meeting these new people, about visiting a college campus we’d never seen before. It was about the experience of feeding the science nerd inside my son — showing him how all those educational videos he watches, that stuff shows up in the real world.
For me, it was about creating a family memory for myself and for my son.
Once the sun peeked back out, people started packing up and leaving. I put my glasses back on and looked up to see the moon on the back half of it’s solar journey. I thought to myself, “Um . . . the eclipse is still happening . . .”
So, was it worth it? Was it worth taking time from work and school, getting stuck in traffic, burning gas, and getting stuck in traffic coming back?
Yes. Yes. Yes. And a resounding yes!
In all, the totality only lasted less than three minutes. But those three minutes gave our family the memories that will last a lifetime!
Looking for ways to build wealth? NAREB will be teaching people how to get the keys to a home and generational wealth during the Build Black Wealth Tour 2024.
Realtist Week kicked off Sunday, April 7, and will conclude on Saturday, April 14 with a “The Building Black Wealth 100 City Tour” — a half-day event aimed at showing everyday people that owning your own home is more within your reach than you may realize.
Chlonda Barton is co-owner of CMB Enterprise LLC, a construction company. She says new home construction is wide open for black women to get into, and invites others to join her. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
To that end, the Women’s Council of the Memphis NAREB chapter hosted a session called “Creating Multiple Streams of Income in Real Estate.” Virtually every aspect of real estate ownership was discussed — from first time home buying, to rental properties, to short-term rentals (AirBnB,VRBO) and even commercial real estate.
TSD wanted to make sure this information was shared, so we set up a camera and livestreamed today’s session, which was held at the Universal Life Building on Beale Street. We did experience some audio issues and there was no microphone in the room. We are working to improve, so be patient with us. But there is certainly GOLD in what these women are talking about so we think it’s worth listening to.
Me? i just loved seeing a roomful of sharp Black women talking seriously about SERIOUS money. And if you’re serious about growing your wealth, check it out:
Get ready, Memphis! On Monday, April 8, 2024, a spectacular solar eclipse will paint the sky. While we may not experience complete totality like nearby spots in Arkansas, we’re in for a treat – up to 95% of the sun will be covered by the moon!
Your Essential Eclipse Toolkit
Don’t play around with your eyesight — GET eclipse glasses. WEAR THEM. KEEP THEM ON!
Protect Your Eyes: The number one rule: NEVER look directly at the sun without special solar eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses won’t cut it! These glasses have specialized filters to protect your eyesight. The Benjamin Hooks Library has eclipse glasses; check around retailers or online sellers as well.
Timing is Everything: In Memphis, the partial eclipse begins around 1:06 p.m. CDT. The moment of maximum coverage will occur at approximately 2:29 p.m. CDT.
Embrace the Eerie Darkness: Watch the shadows around you change, becoming crisp and sharp. The sky may dim, giving the day a twilight feel.
DIY Fun: Make a pinhole projector! Poke a tiny hole in a piece of cardboard, and project the image of the crescent sun onto another sheet of paper. It’s a safe and easy way for everyone to enjoy the show.
Learn more about the Science of the Eclipse
Famed Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson knows space. NBC Meteorologist Al Roker knows weather. Both are brilliant and if you like to watch smart black men talk ACTUAL science, check out the clip above from NBC News, where Tyson explains the basics of an eclipse as only he can.
For Kids: Both Tyson and Roker are not only smart, but they both can explain science to young people. Check out this extended clip produced by NBC News aimed at helping kids experience the eclipse. (Plus, anytime we can get more of these two brilliant brothers talking, sign us up!).
Where to Catch the Eclipse Action
Celebrate with the City: Keep an eye out for community viewing parties or events at local parks or the Memphis Zoo.
Your Backyard Observatory: Set up a picnic or lawn chairs at home and observe the celestial show with family and friends.
Take a Scenic Drive: If you’re up for an adventure, many towns in Arkansas, like Jonesboro, are within a short drive and sit directly in the path of totality. Make a mini-road trip of it!
Important Safety Reminders
Eyes on the Prize (Safely): Sunglasses are NOT a substitute for eclipse glasses. Only remove your eclipse glasses during the brief window of totality if you are within the path. For Memphis, keep those glasses on for the entire event.
No Eclipse Selfies: It’s tempting, but avoid looking at the eclipse through your phone camera or binoculars without special solar filters.
Get Hyped, Memphis!
This solar eclipse is a rare opportunity to witness the magic of the cosmos. Mark your calendars, stock up on eclipse glasses, and prepare to be amazed!
Additional Resources
For more on eclipse safety and paths of totality, check out:
Looking for ways to build wealth? NAREB will be teaching people how to get the keys to a home and generational wealth during the Build Black Wealth Tour 2024.
When it comes to building wealth — generational wealth that gets passed on to your kids’ kids — for Black families, it may all come down to one question:
“What do we do with Big Mama’s House?”
The question, of course, is built on the aspirations of our ancestors, who had the wisdom and commitment to acquire property generations ago. It’s also built on the reality that ancestors die, often leaving property behind, but no plan — and sometimes no will, to clarify who actually is supposed to get what.
But it’s also a question that the Memphis Chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers will tackle head on during National Realtist Week 2024, set for April 7-13. As part of NAREB’s 100-City Wealth Building Tour, the Memphis chapter is hosting a week of activities aimed at increasing black wealth — more specifically, increasing black land ownership.
Themed “Leveraging Community Partnerships,” the week-long series of events aims to illuminate the financial benefits of homeownership. It seeks to instill confidence among Black residents in Memphis that owning a home is not only feasible but also a pivotal step toward building generational wealth.
Daryl Lewis, President of NAREB-Memphis
“What we have found is that there are no millionaires who have been created without having real estate as a part of their portfolio,” said Daryl Lewis, a real estate professional and president of NAREB Memphis. “Especially within the black community, real estate has been one thing that was able to be passed down from generation to generation to create wealth.”
In the landscape of American homeownership, a stark disparity paints a concerning picture—especially within the African American community.
From a peak of 49.1 percent in 2004, Black American homeownership has dipped nationally to 40.6 percent, a figure shadowed by the 73.8 percent homeownership rate among non-Hispanic Whites.
Memphis mirrors this national issue, with a homeownership rate hovering around 34 percent. These numbers, more than just statistics, signify a growing challenge in wealth accumulation and economic security among Black Americans. But Lewis stresses that even in a city like Memphis, people shouldn’t assume home ownership is out of reach.
“Now we are seeing where if someone can afford $1,700 a month in rent,” he said, “they can buy a home for cheaper than that.”
Helping working people increase their financial IQ is the goal of Realtist week, said NAREB’s Lydia Pope.
“NAREB knows by reaching and educating Black Americans about homeownership financial futures can be positively changed,” Pope said. “We also know owning a home represents the most effective means to build wealth now, and for future generations.”
IF YOU GO:
Info Box:
The lineup for Realtist Week is diverse, with activities planned across Memphis to engage the community where they live, work, socialize, and worship. Each event is structured to address the hurdles to homeownership and present actionable solutions. (All events in Memphis; To Register, visit https://nareb-memphis.com) or click the link to the event below.
Sunday, April 7, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Day of Worship and Prayer. Greater Community Temple C.O.G.I.C., 5151 Winchester Rd.
When the Memphis Grizzlies announced earlier this season that they would retire Marc Gasol’s jersey, everyone knew it would be more than a one-night celebration. His older brother, Pau, and the rest of his family spent the week in town leading up to the ceremony.
Marc was spotted all over social media, with fans snapping selfies with him at various locations. The Gasols made this a family trip, with the two families spending time at Shelby Farms. Pau said before the game that they plan to do this more often because of the bond their family has with the city of Memphis.
After the first timeout of the game, a video presentation featuring messages from Mike Conley and Lionel Hollins was played. Gasol was then introduced on the video monitor, and the crowd gave him a nice ovation.
Gasol played 11 seasons with the Grizzlies (2008-2019) and helped guide the franchise to seven consecutive playoff appearances, including the club’s first postseason victory in 2011 (as a No. 8 seed against the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs) and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. A three-time All-Star, Gasol was named the 2012-13 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and selected to the 2014-15 All-NBA First Team.
“Marc has made a tremendous impact on both the Grizzlies and the Memphis community. His tenacity and skill helped raise the franchise to new heights,” said Robert Pera, owner of the Grizzlies in a statement. “I am pleased to honor Marc by having his #33 permanently raised in the rafters of FedExForum. Thank you, Marc, for all you have done.”
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Grizzlies earlier in the evening, 116-96. Current 76ers Coach Nick Nurse was head coach on the 2019 NBA Championship Toronto Raptors team where Gasol won his only championship.
“It was really cool when I saw the announcement that they were retiring his jersey. I looked down and saw we were here, I immediately hit him on WhatsApp and congratulated him and said, ‘Man, it’s amazing because we’re going to be there. I’m so happy.’
“He was obviously a huge part of our championship team in Toronto. It seems like I’ve coached against him for almost his whole career because I was coaching a national team over there. It seemed like we were always playing Spain for something, like warm-up games or Euro Cup or whatever they were, qualifiers here and there, European Championships, even the Olympics.”
Current Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins never got to coach Gasol, but had nothing but praise for Big Spain.
“It’s so meaningful. It’s an individual recognition but so cool to hear that he’s going to have so many people, especially former teammates, be a part of it. That just speaks volumes to who Marc Gasol is. He was all about helping the team get better. He made others better around him. Obviously, I was on the other side competing against him. He was a handful, an ultimate competitor.”
Mike Conley flew in after playing last night and will fly out after the event to join his current team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, in Los Angeles.
“I would not have missed this for anything in the world,” Conley said. “This guy deserves everything he gets. I am super excited for him.”
Many former teammates and coaches of Gasol were in attendance, including Mike Miller, Rudy Gay, Quincy Pondexter, Dave Joerger, his brother Pau Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, and Zach Randolph. It was the first time the Core Four have been in FedExForum together since the 2017-18 season.
David Jones came up strong in the win over FAU, leading the Tigers with 25 points.. (William Weeks/Tri-State Defender)
Tonight, an NCAA National Mens Basketball champion will be crowned.
Terry Davis
The champion will definitely be either Purdue or UConn. It will definitely NOT be the Memphis Tigers — much to everyone’s disappointment. A season that started with sizzle (an early season 10-game win streak) eventually faded with fizzle (missing the NCAA Tournament ENTIRELY), leaving more questions than answers.
Going into the offseason, Penny Hardaway knew he would have to rebuild his roster due to the limited number of players eligible to return next season and players entering the transfer portal.
The final roster won’t be set until later in the spring after all the players who’ve declared for the NBA withdraw their names and return to college.
One of those players is David Jones. If Jones decides to return to college, the Memphis roster will be built around him. Hardaway has already landed two key commitments for next season. The first is a transfer from Tulsa, P.J. Haggerty. The 6-foot-3-inch point guard from Crosby, Texas, will be important to the team’s success.
He averaged 21 points and 3.8 assists per game. He should be able to work with the team this summer to learn the offense and be the coach on the floor for the Tigers. He played in the ACC the last two seasons and will have two seasons of eligibility left.
Dain Dainja, the 6-foot-9-inch center, played for the University of Illinois last season and the Baylor Bears the year prior. He averaged 6.1 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game. His role will be as a rim protector and physical force inside. He is from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Nicholas Jourdain with the big block. (William Weeks/Tri-State Defender)
The Tigers will have Nicholas Jourdain, the transfer from Temple, and walk-ons Joe Cooper and Noah Stansberry returning from this season. Cooper made an impact late in the season with his contributions, and Jourdain was a solid contributor all season.
Three players have departed the team: Jayhlon Young, Carl Cherenfant, and Ashton Hardaway have all entered the transfer portal. The portal will be open until mid-May. It’s possible that some of those players may return this season.
Hardaway has said on multiple occasions that he would like his roster intact by at least August to develop chemistry among the new players. Last season, chemistry, and not talent, was the reason for how the season ended.
