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Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway can’t seem to remove himself from controversy as he approaches Year 7 with the Tigers. His program made headlines again this week with the season set to tip off in just two weeks.
The latest drama revolved around top player Tyreek Smith, a transfer Hardaway brought in over the offseason. Smith’s representation claimed that NIL promises had not been fulfilled!
Smith’s agent torched the school for not paying its star transfer before reaching out to the head coach for clarification.
Hardaway must’ve succeeded in his attempts to ease tensions because Smith returned to practice a day later.
It’s one of many issues the Memphis basketball program has faced over the last several months.
Penny Hardaway was called out for mistreating players over the summer. He’s since cleaned out his entire staff and roster in the offseason.
He’s starting with a clean slate when it comes to incoming players, though even that’s not gone without hiccups evidenced by Tyreek Smith’s NIL complaints.
Through it all, Hardaway insists that the criticisms are aimed in the wrong direction. He posted a cryptic message on his Instagram story while dealing with the headlines.
All right, so here’s Penny’s IG story with the audio.
The song playing is “God Favored Me Pt. 1” by Hezekiah Walker & LFC.
Some of the lyrics: “They whispered. Conspired. They told their lies. But God favors me. My character. My integrity. My faith in God. He favors me.” 👀 https://t.co/SWhFcbuKgk pic.twitter.com/LV7uArQKcD
— Parth Upadhyaya (@pupadhyaya_) October 23, 2024
Penny Hardaway is over the personal attacks of his character and integrity. He’s done with the “lies” being spread about his program.
He’s focused on the basketball season to come. With this most recent NIL spat behind him, the head coach will look to secure his seventh straight 20-win season with the Tigers.