The 2023-24 Memphis basketball season was one most Tigers fans would like to forget.
It began with coach Penny Hardaway watching the Tigers’ first three games on television while he served a three-game suspension for a recruiting violation. Accompanied by a borderline incomprehensible collapse, it ended as fifth-year senior center Malcolm Dandridge was withheld from the final five games due to his role in a potential academic misconduct scheme.
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On July 16, the NCAA announced violations involving Memphis men’s basketball and softball.
Following an investigation that spanned more than a year, the NCAA said Memphis committed multiple academic integrity violations between Jan. 25 and Feb. 19, 2024. The NCAA said two former Memphis softball players completed coursework and provided answers to tests and quizzes for a former Tigers basketball player.
The NCAA did not identify the players but multiple sources told the Commercial Appeal the softball players were Aaliyah Dixon and Ally Callahan and the basketball player was Dandridge.
Sources requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
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The NCAA said the violations were coordinated by former Memphis academic advisor Leslie Brooks, who was fired on Feb. 23, 2024.
What NCAA ruling means for Memphis basketball, softball
The penalties levied against Memphis aren’t exactly light. Brooks was hit hardest, receiving a 10-year show-cause order.
The school must pay a $30,000 fine, plus 1% of the combined men’s basketball and softball budgets. The basketball program must vacate three wins, taking it from 22 that season to 19 − snapping what was an active streak of eight straight 20-win seasons. And two years of probation, set to end July 15, 2027.
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That’s it, though. No postseason ban for either program. No suspensions for any coaches. No dreaded “lack of institutional control” labels. No scholarship reductions. No recruiting sanctions.
Considering the basketball program was already on probation for the infractions case involving James Wiseman through Sept. 26, 2025, and will serve another year of probation through Sept. 26, 2026, for Hardaway’s recruiting violation, the NCAA could have done far more damage.
Memphis will remain under the NCAA’s more watchful eye than most schools for the next two years.
Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro left her post as Memphis softball coach after a six-win 2024 season. Trena Prater, her successor, won 19 games in her first season at the helm. She can fully concentrate on building on that momentum.
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Hardaway, heading into his eighth season as coach, will go into 2025-26 with an almost completely clean slate. Every player from the 2023-24 roster is gone and there is only one member of his coaching staff from that season who is still part of the program.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: NCAA violations for Memphis basketball, softball. What’s next
