Penny Hardaway: New G League pathway 'like tampering' with players

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway isn't pleased with the new professional pathway system the G League has launched, which allows top high school recruits to bypass college basketball.

"I didn't think the G League was built - and I could be wrong - to go and recruit kids that want to go to college out of going to college," Hardaway said, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Jason Munz. "Taking guys out of their commitments (or if) they've already signed and continuing to talk to their parents, it's almost like tampering. I really don't agree with that."

Hardaway lost out on top 2020 recruit Jalen Green - who narrowed his college choices to Memphis and Auburn - when he became the first major prospect to sign with the G League's new "Select Team" on a reported $500,000 deal two weeks ago.

Players who previously committed to other universities, such as Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix, have since backed out of those commitments to also sign in the G League.

Hardaway said the NCAA's recent move to consider allowing athletes to profit from endorsements is a step in the right direction to prevent an exodus of talent from college basketball.

"What the NCAA can do is what they're doing now," he said. "Allowing kids to make money on their own name and likeness. I'm in favor of the name, image, and likeness rule. Because it kind of helps us, as college coaches, kind of fight the battle with the G League and going overseas."

Memphis went 21-10 this past season but lost star freshman James Wiseman in November when the NCAA ruled him ineligible due to Hardaway previously providing moving expenses for the player's family.