University of Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway recently held a coaches’ clinic at the Laurie-Walton Center.
The clinic was a part of the open practice held to show area basketball coaches how he conducts practice and to teach them various offensive and defensive plays.
During the practice, Hardaway told the coaches what he was doing and what he was trying to get out of plays. After the practice was done, he conducted a teaching session, drawing upon film from the practice.
The coaches asked questions about the schemes with Hardaway and his staff explaining in detail what was going on.
It was the coaches’ clinic for Hardaway. There were over 100 coaches in attendance for the event.
During the practice, two point guards – Caleb Mills and Javhon Quinerly – were held out of the session because of nagging injuries.
“I’ve always one for the area,” Hardaway said of the clinic. “This has been in the making for the last two or three years. We finally got the timing to do one.”
Tracking the Tigers
On Quinerly and Mills getting a grasp of his system:
“They are asking more questions. They are coming along. They have made some strides. hey are watching film, and they can see what is going on in practice. They are coming along great.”
On the team’s development on defense:
“The defense has gotten much better. They’re boxing out better and protecting the paint.”
On doing the little things consistently: “That is the challenge with 13 new guys. They are trying. They are communicating and talking. They are watching film and, in the gym, trying to get better.”
There is no update on the status of DeAndre Williams’ appeal to play this season.
On Mikey Williams’ status: Hardaway said had spoken to Williams and encouraged him to keep his head up. Williams is in the midst of criminal procedure.
The Tigers will host two exhibition games before they open the season. The Tigers will host the Lane Dragons coached by former Memphis player Andre Turner on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. and Lemoyne-Owen College on November 2 at 7 p.m.
Both games will be played at FedExForum.
The Tigers open the season against the Jackson State University Tigers on November 6 at 7 p.m.
