Roman Cleary

Memphis

University of Memphis Class of 2026 | Memphis Tigers men’s basketball beat writer @BluffCity_Media | NFL & WWE junkie | The Oxford comma is useless garbage.

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LSU transfer Curtis Givens III to visit Memphis basketball

1 month ago | substack.com | Roman Cleary

Penny Hardaway welcomes another Memphis native to campus this week. Former LSU guard Curtis Givens III is visiting his hometown school starting Tuesday, a source confirmed to Bluff City Media on Monday. Givens, who shockingly committed to LSU over Memphis in October 2023, entered the transfer portal last month. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Memphis basketball agrees to six-year series with Louisville

1 month ago | substack.com | Roman Cleary

One of Memphis basketball’s biggest feuds is back for the long haul. The Tigers have agreed to a six-year series with longtime rival Louisville starting next season, both schools announced Thursday. The first meeting takes place inside KFC Yum! Center on December 13, with a return date at FedExForum scheduled in 2026-27. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Dates and venues for the last four matchups have yet to be finalized.
Roman Cleary | Substack

2 months ago | substack.com | Roman Cleary

University of Memphis Class of 2026 | Memphis Tigers men’s basketball beat writer for Bluff City Media | NFL & WWE junkie | The Oxford comma is useless garbage.
Western Kentucky transfer Julius Thedford commits to Memphis

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

Memphis basketball welcomes a 901 native to next season’s roster. Former Western Kentucky guard Julius Thedford is committed to the Tigers, multiple sources tell Bluff City Media. He becomes Penny Hardaway’s third transfer portal addition this offseason. The 6-foot-4 freshman averaged 12.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 42.8% overall and 36.6% from 3-point range this season. Thedford helped Western Kentucky to a 11-7 record through its first 18 games, logging six starts in that span.
Saint Mary’s transfer Ashton Hardaway returns to Memphis basketball

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

Penny Hardaway’s youngest son is returning to Memphis basketball. Saint Mary’s transfer Ashton Hardaway will rejoin the Tigers after spending his sophomore year with the Gaels, a source tells Bluff City Media. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 2.1 points and 1.2 rebounds in 33 appearances this season. He also logged 9.6 minutes per contest while shooting 35.4% overall and 31% from 3-point range, and scored a season-high 9 points against Santa Clara on Jan. 29.
Arizona State transfer Shawn Phillips Jr. includes Memphis in last 5 schools

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

One of the best big men on the open market is reportedly considering Memphis basketball. Former Arizona State center Shawn Phillips Jr. named the Tigers as a top-5 finalist for his services, according to 247Sports’ Dushawn London. Other contenders include Cincinnati, Missouri, Villanova and Kansas. Memphis conducted a Zoom meeting with Phillips on Thursday, a source told Bluff City Media. The 7-foot center averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 57.3% shooting this season.
Western Kentucky guard Julius Thedford to visit Memphis basketball

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

Penny Hardaway wants this Memphis native to join next season’s Tigers basketball team. Western Kentucky transfer Julius Thedford is visiting Memphis this weekend, a source told Bluff City Media Monday. Exact dates have yet to be determined. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 12.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 42.8% overall and 36.6% from 3-point range this season. Thedford helped Western Kentucky to a 11-7 record through its first 18 games, logging six starts in that span.
Memphis basketball appears in final AP Top 25 poll

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

Memphis basketball is in this season’s final Associated Press (AP) Top 25 after Florida’s national championship victory over Houston Monday. The Tigers (29-6) are No. 25 to end 2024-25, falling nine spots from their No. 16 ranking before the NCAA Tournament. This is Memphis’ 13th consecutive and 15th overall appearance in the AP poll—both of which are its highest marks since 2014. The Tigers slotted as high as No. 14 this season.
Temple transfer Quante Berry commits to Memphis

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

Memphis basketball has landed its first commitment from the transfer portal. Former Temple guard Quante Berry is headed to the Tigers, he announced on Instagram Sunday. Berry took the only visit in his recruitment with Memphis earlier this month. The 6-foot-4 sophomore averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.8% from 3-point range this season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Georgia Tech forward Duncan Powell to visit Memphis basketball

2 months ago | bluffcitymedia.co | Roman Cleary

Penny Hardaway and Co. welcome a power conference transfer to campus this week. Former Georgia Tech forward Duncan Powell, who entered the transfer portal Monday, is visiting Memphis on Wednesday, a source confirmed to Bluff City Media. Powell also declared for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility last Friday. The 6-foot-8 redshirt junior put up 12.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1% overall and 35.8% from 3-point range this season.