Memphis Lands Game-Changing Guard Hasan Abdul Hakim: What This UTRGV Transfer Means for Their Season
Memphis basketball is stirring the pot again — and this time, they’ve nabbed a promising new face who could shake things up next season. Hasan Abdul Hakim, a 6-foot-8 wing from UTRGV, has reportedly inked a deal to join the Tigers, according to a reliable tip shared with The Commercial Appeal on May 2. Though the official word hasn’t dropped yet, the buzz is real, especially with CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz confirming the signing. This addition marks the tenth newcomer Coach Penny Hardaway has brought in since wrapping up last season — quite the recalibration for Memphis. What’s intriguing is Abdul Hakim’s skill set: despite his towering frame, he’s slotted as a guard, joining a backcourt-heavy squad that features mostly perimeter players aside from a couple of true bigs. This move hints at a strategic tweak in personnel balance for the 2025-26 roster. Meanwhile, questions loom over the roster’s future, with key figures like PJ Haggerty’s return still uncertain and Dain Dainja’s eligibility waiver hanging in the balance. And Abdul Hakim? His two-season trajectory — marred by a midseason exit last year and a strong scoring presence — suggests he’s more than ready to make a lasting impact in Memphis. The Tigers’ rebuilding race is heating up, and this signing adds a new chapter worth watching.
LEARN MORE
Abdul Hakim’s addition leaves the Tigers with at least two open scholarships. It’s unclear whether All-American guard PJ Haggerty will return, although The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman reported May 2 that NC State is the frontrunner to land him. Also, all-conference big man Dain Dainja has filed a waiver request with the NCAA (which is pending) for one more season of eligibility.Despite his size and strong rebounding numbers, Abdul Hakim is listed as a guard. He joins a roster that currently features a bevy of backcourt players. Of the newcomers currently expected to play for the Tigers in 2025-26, only one (7-foot-1 Aaron Bradshaw) is a true big man. Ashton Hardaway (6-9) has some size, but he has been more of a perimeter player his first two seasons at the collegiate level.Prior to his two seasons at UTRGV, Abdul Hakim spent two seasons at Sante Fe College, one at the College of Southern Idaho.Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected], follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.Abdul Hakim played in 20 games during the 2023-24 season for the Vaqueros, averaging 12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
The rest are guards − Sincere Parker, Dug McDaniel, Julius Thedford, Quante Berry, Daniel Vieira-Tuck and Felipe Patino. Memphis is also expected to bring back point guard Dante Harris, who played 16 games for Hardaway in 2024-25.
Abdul Hakim, who has one season of eligibility remaining, averaged 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game in 2024-25 for UTRGV. He played just 12 games, leaving the team in January 2025, for what coach Kahil Fennell labeled at the time as an “unfortunate kind of situation.” He shot 48% from the field and 32.7% at the 3-point line.Memphis basketball has welcomed a commitment from UTRGV wing Hasan Abdul Hakim, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Commercial Appeal on May 2.The 6-foot-8 Abdul Hakim becomes the 10th player Tigers coach Penny Hardaway has added since the 2024-25 season ended in March.
The Toronto, Ontario, Canada native came up big in big games at UTRGV, putting up a double-double against Creighton (26 points, 11 rebounds) and dropping 19 points (with eight rebounds) versus Wisconsin. The season before, he had 14 points against Oklahoma and 21 points against Grand Canyon.
Related Posts
Post Comment