The University of Memphis and its basketball coach, Penny Hardaway, emerged mostly unscathed following a three-year investigation into its recruiting practices by the NCAA.
The university received a $5,000 fine and must forfeit two games in which former top recruit James Wiseman participated. Additionally, the university was placed on probation for three years, but will be allowed to participate in the NCAA tournament in 2023 and afterward, notwithstanding any further violations.
The NCAA determined that Hardaway, as a UM “booster” prior to his hiring in 2018, provided money and other benefits to students in the Memphis area, but his activities did not constitute a major NCAA infraction since he was not employed by the school, and some of his gifts were to non-UM recruits. The university was also cited for several Level II and Level III violations, but avoided any major penalties from the NCAA.