MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In a stunning turn of events for the Memphis Tigers basketball program, two of their standout players from the 2024-25 season have entered the NCAA transfer portal. All-American guard PJ Haggerty and All-Conference forward Dain Dainja both made the announcement on April 17, 2025, just minutes apart, raising questions about the future of the program.
PJ Haggerty, who averaged an impressive 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, informed The Athletic of his decision to explore options in the NBA Draft process while entering the transfer portal. His performance this past season not only earned him first-team All-American honors but also helped lead the Tigers to an American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Haggerty’s scoring prowess ranked him third in the nation, making his departure a significant blow to the Tigers.
“PJ has notified the athletic department that he wishes to test the NBA Draft process and enter his name in the NCAA transfer portal. We are grateful for everything PJ has done for the department and the University of Memphis. We respect his wishes to explore all options,” said Tigers coach Penny Hardaway. “PJ has told us that he has enjoyed his experience, and Memphis is still on the table once he understands where he is in the draft process.”
While Haggerty’s potential return to Memphis remains a possibility, the Tigers are faced with serious challenges ahead in terms of roster reconstruction. The loss of Haggerty, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Dainja, adds to the urgency for Hardaway and his coaching staff.
Dainja, who was also a key contributor to Memphis’ success, averaged 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on an impressive 61.5% shooting from the field. Despite reports suggesting he would enter the transfer portal, Dainja quickly refuted those claims, stating, “Not going anywhere. No decisions have been made.” He is currently pursuing a waiver from the NCAA in hopes of playing an additional season, although there is no guarantee that his request will be granted.
“Dainja struggled with consistency early in the season but really came on strong late, playing like one of the best big men in the country,” noted a source close to the program. His performance included a standout game in the NCAA Tournament, where he recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds against Colorado State.
As the Tigers look to rebuild, they are not starting from scratch. Coach Hardaway has been proactive in the transfer portal, securing commitments from several players, including South Carolina guard Zachary Davis, Western Kentucky guard Julius Thedford, Temple guard Quante Berry, and bringing back Ashton Hardaway after a stint at Saint Mary's. These additions are crucial for a program that is experiencing significant turnover after a successful season.
In recent days, Memphis has also hosted official visits from promising prospects, including Ohio State power forward Aaron Bradshaw, Villanova guard Kris Parker, and McNeese State guard Sincere Parker, indicating the Tigers are actively seeking to enhance their roster.
With only guard Dante Harris and forward Bouna Kebe, who redshirted this season, remaining from the roster without entering the transfer portal, the Tigers face a challenging offseason. The departures of Haggerty and potentially Dainja could mark the end of an era for a team that reached its highest win total since the 2012-13 season.
As the situation develops, Memphis fans are left in suspense, wondering who will don the Tigers jersey next season. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on Penny Hardaway to navigate these changes effectively.
In conclusion, the Memphis Tigers are at a crossroads as they deal with the potential loss of two key players. With the transfer portal becoming a pivotal aspect of college basketball, the Tigers must act swiftly to secure their future and maintain the momentum built over the past season.
