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Basketball at the University of Memphis
(formerly Memphis State University) has a long and illustrious history. From the days of Larry Finch to the present day with Penny Hardaway, Memphis has been home to some of the best players in college basketball. Go Tigers Go!
Penny Hardaway
No player has done more for the Memphis Tigers basketball program than Penny Hardaway. He played for the Tigers from 1992-1993 to 1995-1996 and was a three-time All-American. He led the team to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament in 1992. After his college career, he was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He spent six seasons with the Magic, making three All-Star teams. He then spent four seasons with the Phoenix Suns before retiring in 2009. Hardaway is now an assistant coach for his alma mater, Memphis.
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose is the only player on this list who is currently an active professional basketball player. He played for Memphis from 2007 to 2008, leading them to a 38-2 record while he was there and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament in 2009 after his team beat Michigan State in overtime by a score of 75-74. After college, Rose was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls. He spent six seasons with the Bulls before being traded to the New York Knicks during the 2016 off-season. During his career, he has been named to four All-Star teams and won Rookie Of The Year honors in 2009.
Larry Finch
Larry Finch is considered one of the greatest shooters in Memphis Tigers history. He played for the team from 1969 to 1972 and was a two-time All-American. He led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament in 1970 and 1972. After college, he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the ninth overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft. He spent six seasons with the Suns before retiring in 1978. Finch is now a member of the Memphis Grizzlies front office staff.
Lorenzen Wright
Lorenzen Wright was one of the most dominant players in college basketball during his time at Memphis. He played for the Tigers from 1995 to 1996 to 1998 to 1999 and was a two-time All-American. He led the team to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament in 1995. After college, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the seventh overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. He spent six seasons with the Clippers before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks during the 2005 off-season. He then spent one season with the Memphis Grizzlies before retiring in 2010. Wright was murdered in Memphis in 2010 and his death is still unsolved.
Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans is another player who had a successful career after playing for Memphis Tigers basketball. He played for them from 2006 to 2009 and was a two-time All-American. He led the team to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament in 2007. After college, he was drafted with the fourth overall pick by his hometown Sacramento Kings in 2009. He spent five seasons with the Kings before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans during 2013 off-season. Since signing with them, he has been named an All-Star once (in 2015) and led them to their first playoff appearance since 2010 last season.
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