Memphis basketball to target North Texas forward Aaron Scott

Penny Hardaway finished his sixth season as the Tigers’ head coach at No. 105 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.

Memphis never finished lower than No. 54 in his first five seasons, and even finished No. 1 in the 2021 campaign that concluded with a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship. Hardaway has always cultivated a defensive-minded approach since beginning his post in 2018. But his 2023-24 squad, which missed the NCAA Tournament despite a 15-2 start, systematically destroyed that identity.

2024-25 will be a make-or-break year for Memphis’ favorite son, so it’s crucial that Hardaway reverts his team back to status quo. And he luckily doesn’t have to look far for players who can make that happen.

Sources tell Bluff City Media that Memphis is seriously involved with North Texas forward Aaron Scott, who entered the transfer portal Monday. The 6-foot-7 junior averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 41.9% from the field and 37% from 3-point range for the Mean Green this season. A tenacious defender, Scott also put up 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

The Spring, Texas native made 34 starts for Ross Hodge’s club, which finished its campaign ranked No. 74 overall and No. 54 in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. The Mean Green were also the No. 12 scoring defense in the country this year. UNT—the 2023 NIT champion with a sophomore Scott starting in 38 contests—ultimately advanced to the second round of the 2024 tournament before falling at Seton Hall 72-58.

North Texas embarrassed Memphis when the two schools met during American Athletic Conference (AAC) play in mid-February. The Mean Green beat the Tigers 76-66 at The Super Pit in Denton thanks to 16 made 3-pointers and 15 forced turnovers.

Scott scored just 8 points on 30% shooting during the contest, but he also blocked four shots and racked up a steal despite committing four personal fouls. His best performance of the season came on Jan. 31 at UAB when he recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and a steal on 50% field goal shooting and 75% perimeter shooting. He also produced three double-doubles and six outings with at least 3 blocks during the campaign.

The 20-year-old, who enters next season with one year of eligibility remaining, would be one of many new pieces to Memphis’ puzzle. The Tigers are expected to lose Jahvon Quinerly,  Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Caleb Mills, Jaykwon Walton, Jordan Brown, Jayden Hardaway and Malcolm Dandridge due to expired eligibility. Jonathan Pierre and Jayhlon Young have also entered the transfer portal, so Penny Hardaway is tasked with replacing at least nine players this offseason.

Forward Nick Jourdain, a rising senior, publicly announced his return to Memphis back in February. But sources have recently indicated that he’s still deciding his plans for next year. The Tigers can also bring back David Jones, Joe Cooper, Ashton Hardaway, Carl Cherenfant and Noah Stansbury. Four-star high school recruit Jared Harris is the program’s only incoming player as of now.

Besides Scott, Memphis has reached out to the following players in the transfer portal:

Michigan guard Dug McDaniel

Southeastern Louisiana guard Roger McFarlane

Texas State forward Brandon Love

Iona guard Greg Gordon

Michigan center Tarris Reed Jr.

UT-Martin guard Jordan Sears

BYU center Abou Ousmane

Wichita State guard Colby Rogers

James Madison guard Terrance Edwards Jr.

Drake forward Kevin Overton

Louisiana-Monroe forward Nika Metskhvarishvili

Saint Louis guard Gibson Jimerson

Tulsa guard PJ Haggerty