Penny Hardaway got the attention of former five-star college basketball recruit Aaron Bradshaw by taking his NIL money. The head coach at Memphis started to fine his star transfer for poor behavior.
It may not be allowed but it worked!
Other college basketball coaches should take note of this approach. If Hardaway is allowed to do what he is doing, this could be the quickest way to correct a lot of issues that come with the modern era of collegiate athletics.
Who is Aaron Bradshaw?
At 7-foot-1, 210 pounds, Bradshaw was ranked as one of the five best players in the recruiting Class of 2023. He was a consensus five-star prospect out of New Jersey with offers from Louisville, Texas, USC and UCLA, among others and ultimately committed to Kentucky.
However, his career has not quite panned out as expected thus far.
Bradshaw broke his foot as a freshman, which limited him to only 26 games. The McDonald’s All-American averaged only 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes upon his return with an absymal free throw percentage of just 56.8%.
He decided to enter the transfer portal when John Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas and committed to Ohio State. His time with the Buckeyes was equally as disappointing as his time with the Wildcats.
Bradshaw missed a good chunk of the season do to an alleged domestic incident at his off-campus apartment. No charges were filed so he was allowed to return to the team after a suspension but his numbers did not improve much as a sophomore. He averaged 6.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game with five starts in 22 games. The Buckeyes missed the NCAA Tournament at 17-15.
Aaron Bradshaw re-entered the transfer portal after the season.
Penny Hardaway created an NIL fine system at Memphis.
The rising junior forward committed to the Tigers back in April. This is his third different team in three years.
Unfortunately, the behavioral issues that plagued his career since high school followed him to Tennessee. Aaron Bradshaw often showed up late to meetings and/or broke the team dress code.
Not anymore!
Head coach Penny Hardaway started to fine Bradshaw for his violations. Three grand here, three grand there. And sure enough, his five-star transfer started to show up on time in the appropriate clothing.
Penny Hardaway started taking away Aaron Bradshaw's NIL money to motivate him. "I fined him for being late, I fined him for violating our dress code, 3 grand here, 3 grand there… guess who started to put the effort in." pic.twitter.com/J2e3XIl00m
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) December 18, 2025
If college athletes are going to be paid like professionals, they should be able to be fined like professionals. However, per the rules as they are written, NIL money cannot be attached to performance. That goes for both incentives and reductions. Is a violation of team rules considered performance?
I would say no but I am not in charge. It’s not like the rules are being followed with NIL anyway.
If this is something that Hardaway is allowed to do and/or is not not allowed to do, other coaches will likely follow suit if they are not already doing so. Players who do not meet expectations should be fined. That seems fair. I don’t know whether it is allowed.