Thierno Sylla becomes the 14th newcomer coach Penny Hardaway’s team has signed this offseason.

On Sunday night, the Hernando DeSoto bridge shines a light on the former NBA All-Star and current Tigers basketball coach coming off a breakthrough season.

“I want to add more bigs,” Penny Hardaway told reporters before teeing off in the Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am golf tournament. “At least two more bigs, for sure.”

“I was able to lay a great foundation with this group,” Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said. “Getting a new group, it’s really tough. But they definitely were all in on the buy-in.”

Days after a GoFundMe page created by Rice’s family made the rounds on social media, the former Tigers sharpshooter made an appearance on 92.9 FM (WMFS-FM) ESPN’s “Jason & John” show Monday.

This is Part 3 of an exploration of hot college-sports topics for the Memphis Tigers and the American Conference heading into the 2025 football season.

Known for his ability to hit bank shots off the glass, Doom Haynes was instrumental in reviving the Memphis Tigers’ program under coach Dana Kirk in the 1980s.

Computers and humans agree the Tigers will have yet another rigorous nonconference schedule next season.

The Tigers now have 13 games in place for each spot on their 2025-26 nonconference schedule. 

Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and college sports columnist John Martin weigh in on Sincere Parker’s ongoing legal case, the difficulty of Memphis’ nonconference schedule and more. 

Parker’s next court date is set for 9 a.m. on Sept. 4.

Coach Penny Hardaway’s team’s preseason matchup in Atlanta against Auburn will serve as a good litmus test before it officially begins the 2025-26 season.

Former Tigers Penny Hardaway, Isaac Bruce and Jerome Woods are a few of the celebrities who will compete in the Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am golf tournament on Aug. 7 at Spring Creek Ranch.

American commissioner Tim Pernetti said improving the basketball league is about “bringing the bottom up.” 

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum slams Big 12 Brett Yormark after the league’s decision to reject Memphis’ membership pitch without even taking a vote from its presidents and chancellors.

The Tigers don’t tip off their 2025-26 season for another three-plus months, but Memphis now knows who they’ll face and where.

Coach Alex Simmons’ group, and every other team in the 13-member American, will play 18 conference games this upcoming season.

If there’s anything the news of the last few days has shown us, it’s that the Memphis administration indeed understands just how desperate and possibly dire its situation is as members of the American. 

The Big 12’s rejection of Memphis’ reported $200 million pitch marked another denial in the Tigers’ quest for entry into a power conference. But Memphis officials will keep plugging away — and basketball attendance numbers show why.

Coach Penny Hardaway has a chance to add some more local flavor to his team for the 2026-27 season.

The news comes hours after Jones-Garcia made the NBA 2K26 All-Summer League First Team.

“Memphis once again put together a lucrative offer that has been rejected by Big 12. Is that for embarrassment? Or cause for hope?”

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Memphis makes $200 million proposal to join Big 12, per report

Big 12 presidents met Monday to discuss the offer, Ross Dellenger’s report says. He also added that “the proposition is not believed to have the necessary support, for now.”

Parker’s next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. on July 29 at Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Division 10.