MEMPHIS — It’s the news Memphis Tiger fans were hoping to avoid.

AAC Player of the Year and consensus All-American PJ Haggerty has put his name in the transfer portal.

A gut punch to Penny Hardaway’s program that was hoping to build around the 6’3″ Haggerty. Haggerty finished third in the country in scoring at just under 22 points a game as he led Memphis to 29 wins and both the AAC regular season and tournament titles. He also scored the second most points in a single season in Tiger hoops history.

Haggerty instantly becomes one of the bigger names in the portal and the ‘big’ offers are sure to follow.

This decision undoubtedly came down to the simple fact that Hardaway and Memphis couldn’t afford Haggerty.

Then came this plot twist. Despite numerous reports that Dain Dainja had joined Haggerty in the portal, the Tiger big man went to social media Thursday to downplay those reports. Dainja saying on X, ” Not going anywhere. No decisions Have been made yet.”

Dainja, who averaged over 18 points a game over the Tigers final 16 games, still needs a waiver from the NCAA to play next season.

With Hardaway preparing for yet another full roster rebuild, the Tigers earning another commitment. This time from South Carolina guard Zachary Davis. Davis, a 6’7″, defense first wing, averaged eight points, 4 plus boards, two assists and a steal for the Gamecocks last season.

Davis becomes the fourth player from the portal to pick Penny and the Tigers.