Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway has been suspended for three games due to recruiting violations that occurred during the 2021-22 season. The NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions determined that Hardaway and his staff conducted impermissible in-home visits with a high school recruit, violating NCAA rules that prohibit such visits during the fall months of a recruit’s junior year. The visits were intended to discuss Memphis’ basketball program and were not conducted at the recruit’s school, as required by NCAA regulations .([sportingnews.com][1], [apnews.com][2], [aol.com][3])
The violations were classified as Level II-mitigated infractions, leading to a three-game suspension for Hardaway at the start of the 2023-24 season. Additionally, the University of Memphis was fined \$5,000 and placed on probation for an additional year, extending beyond the existing probation related to previous infractions involving former player James Wiseman .([aol.com][3])
Hardaway expressed regret over the violations, stating that he was unaware of the specific recruiting rules at the time. However, the NCAA emphasized that ignorance of the rules does not excuse the infractions, highlighting the importance of head coaches maintaining strict compliance and oversight within their programs .
This suspension adds to the challenges faced by Hardaway and the Memphis basketball program, which has been under scrutiny for previous violations, including the case involving Wiseman. The program continues to work towards ensuring compliance and upholding the integrity of its recruiting practices.([aol.com][3])
[1]: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/penny-hardaway-suspended-ncaa-memphis-recruiting-violations/epl2cv1gnp6qzwxfoukvh5va?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Why was Penny Hardaway suspended by the NCAA? Memphis coach handed 3-game ban for recruiting violations | Sporting News”
[2]: https://apnews.com/article/memphis-ncaa-infractions-hardaway-suspension-8d98111e8d4567cf067699a7452641eb?utm_source=chatgpt.com “NCAA panel imposes a 3-game suspension for Memphis’ Penny Hardaway for recruiting violations | AP News”
[3]: https://www.aol.com/why-penny-hardaway-suspended-explaining-110459904.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Why is Penny Hardaway suspended? Explaining Memphis head coach’s recruiting
violations”
