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Memphis basketball remains committed to Penny Hardaway despite a rough 2025-26. But the head coach helped pull off a pivotal College Basketball Transfer Portal win Monday via the Ohio Valley Conference. Luke Almodovar is heading to the Tigers.
Almodovar leaves Southeast Missouri State for the American Athletic Conference, per Matt Zenitz of 247Sports Monday. Memphis and Hardaway gain a 14.1 points per game scorer in the process. He also banked two 3-pointers a game.
Almodovar delivered seven 20+ point games this past season, including dropping 29 on Cal Poly during their Nov. 25 game. He delivered only 13 points in his final game with Southeast Missouri State during the OVC Tournament on March 6.
He’s leaving the RedHawks after completing his junior season there. The native of Noblesville, Ind., started in 23 games while seeing action in 33 total contests. He also averaged 3.7 rebounds per game.
The past mid-major talent now heads to a place where the head coach is on the hot seat. Hardaway and the Tigers fell to 13-19 overall this past season, including going 3-10 in away games. They became a one-and-done during the AAC Tournament, falling to Tulane 81-69. Hardaway even fought back tears after watching South Florida dismantle the Tigers during the regular season.
Memphis now is addressing last season’s woes. The NBA legend Hardaway managed to win over four-star small forward Fred Smith Jr. on the College Basketball Recruiting trail. Smith signed on April 9 with the Tigers.
He’s not the only four-star addition heading to Grind City. Portal four-star guard prospect Brandin Cummings bolted from Pitt to Memphis. Fellow four-star portal entry Rihards Vavers left Washington State for the Tigers too.
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