How Nolley could impact Memphis next season
Guard from Virginia Tech joins Memphis program
Landers Nolley II’S eligibility status at Memphis is still up in the air.
The Virginia Tech transfer might suit up for the Tigers next season — but only if the NCAA approves a blanket onetime transfer waiver. Such a move seemed destined for approval just a couple of weeks ago, but last week the Division I Board of Directors and Presidential Forum recommended any changes regarding such legislation “are not appropriate at this time” amid more pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tigers coach Penny Hardaway is still hopeful Nolley — who can apply for an individual waiver if the NCAA delays ruling on the current proposal — will be eligible for the 2020-21 season. If the 6foot-7 guard is free to join the lineup, the Tigers would almost certainly be guardcentric given the personnel they have returning.
But with two open roster spots left, Hardaway said he can’t yet commit to an offensive scheme.
The university released a video of Hardaway on Friday to answer questions submitted by local media.
“We don’t know if we’re going to be guard-heavy because we’re not finished recruiting yet,” Hardaway said.
“But having (Nolley) gives you more options because he can play all over the floor and be a matchup problem everywhere.”
Hardaway added that Nolley’s presence does not change the roles of returning guards/wings like D.J. Jeffries, Lester Quinones and Boogie Ellis. Hardaway has said repeatedly in his first two seasons that his ideal system features a “position-less” concept.
“What (Nolley’s addition) means for Lester and D.J., nothing,” he said. “They’re all going to play and contribute. Going into the season, D.J. Jeffries is our guy. He’s the leading (returning) scorer coming into this season. He will be a huge focal point. And Lester, we’re expecting huge things out of him.”
If Nolley is eligible next season, Hardaway said he plans to play to his strengths.
“At Virginia Tech, they played him at the four and five,” Hardaway said. “He’s more of a 2-3, 3-4, in that area. So, it’ll help him in our system show he can open up the floor and do things on the perimeter that he wasn’t really allowed to do (at Virginia Tech). First of all, what I like about him is he’s not afraid of the moment. Secondly, his shooting. He will come and instantly be our best shooter. At his size, that’s a big plus.”
How Memphis goes about filling out its roster will largely depend on Nolley’s status. Either way, though, Hardaway said the primary focus in recruiting is adding another big man.
“I think that we want to keep searching for that,” he said. “If we don’t, it’s going to be a lot on Malcolm’s (Dandridge) shoulders coming off an injury, coming off his freshman year. Isaiah Stokes is definitely a veteran, but it’s almost like you want one more. A guy that can protect that rim. That’s no knock on the guys we already have, but you just keep searching for the best fit for the team.”