10/17/2022 basketball Edit

NBA legend kids becoming a dynamic duo

Leon Taylor • TigerSportsReport

Staff Writer

@Leontaylor1983

The University of Memphis Head Coach Penny Hardaway has enjoyed coaching his son Senior Jayden Hardaway. Who will have a big role this upcoming season. From East High School to now at The University of Memphis. It has been a fun ride. The recruiting Class for 2023 could possibly add another Hardaway to the program.

Class of 2023 power forward Ashton Hardaway has blossomed into a 6-foot-8 forward with a great mid-range game. The younger Hardaway doesn’t play basketball like his dad or brother. Ashton has created his own identity becoming a inside presence. His body has matured over the years from being a chubby tall kid. Ashton has worked on his body, and has transformed into a legit post player playing the power forward position. What he lacks in speed, and guard skills like his father, and older brother he makes up for it with his basketball IQ. Ashton is a great shooter who might be the best shooter out of the family tree.

Kansas, Boston College, University of Southern California, SMU, Oklahoma State, and San Diego all have made offers for the 4 star recruit. Ashton made a big decision this past summer. He decided to leave the state of Texas for his Senior year. He made a big time decision to play for Sierra Canyon a national powerhouse program in California. The move was about making him a better player. Getting the opportunity to play for a national power house program is nothing new. It was just last season when he was playing high school basketball for the #1 program in Texas, Duncanville High School.

The opportunity to play for Sierra Canyon has also helped Ashton build a relationship with Bronny James, the son of Lebron James. They both come from similar backgrounds. At one point both fathers were compared to some say the greatest basketball player ever in Michael Jordan. When you are the son of a NBA legend there is a lot of pressure of living up to the family legacy.

Bronny James is a 6-foot-3 combo guard can relate to the pressure. He has also gotten better over time. Bronny is currently ranked 61st in the Rivals Top 250 in the 2023 Class. Bronny is not just Lebron James son anymore. His monster slam dunks have been going viral this year and so has his stock. James holds offers from Kansas, Ohio State, University of Southern California, Duke. Bronny will be a great college player at the next level. His ability to play point guard would be a great help for Memphis. Memphis needs a point guard in this upcoming class. The opportunity for minutes, playing for a NBA legend is an intriguing situation.

The University of Memphis are recruiting both prospects. Ashton Hardaway has made it known publicly that his recruitment is wide open. It’s not a sure fire decision for him to become a Memphis Tiger. Although a lot of times in these situations many players want to be able to enjoy the recruiting process. Despite the fact his father is a college basketball head coach. Ashton wants to be just like any other college prospect. Ashton just wants to experience a once in a life time experience of being a college prospect.

The big question as of late since the new teammates have built chemistry on the basketball court is will they become a package deal for the next level? Penny has already extended an offer to Ashton and Bronny. Currently, the University of Memphis has only one commit in Ryan Forrest. Forrest isn’t a big name prospect but has big time game as a 6-foot-4 athletic high level shooter.

This upcoming weekend Bronny James and Ashton Hardaway will play basketball against Memphis high school prospects and Top prospects from all over Tennessee. It’s going to be a California All Stars versus Tennessee All Stars game classic brought to you by Platform Basketball. The game will be played at Collierville High School on October 22nd at 7:30pm.

It’s a great opportunity for Memphis basketball fans to show love, and support for two good players who could possibly enjoy the Memphis basketball culture in the near future.