Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway welcomed a commitment from South Carolina transfer guard Zachary Davis on April 17, 2025.
The 6-foot-7 Orangeburg, S.C., native spent the past three seasons with the Gamecocks and has one season of eligibility remaining. He chose the Tigers over Xavier, Pitt and Cal.
Davis said he’s anxious to show Memphis fans what he can do.
“They should expect a caring, winning, competitive player each and every night,” Davis told The Commercial Appeal. “A defensive player that’s going to set the tone on defense. And a player on offense that can read the floor, see mismatches, dribble the ball, shoot the ball, get to my spots. Just an all-around player.”
Hardaway now has at least four scholarships to fill − a number that is always subject to change. Davis is the fourth transfer the Tigers have added this offseason and the third since April 13. Temple guard Quante Berry, Saint Mary’s wing Ashton Hardaway (Hardaway’s youngest son who spent his true freshman season with the Tigers in 2023-24), and Western Kentucky guard Julius “King” Thedford (a former Whitehaven and Cordova standout) have previously committed to Memphis.
Three players from the 2024-25 roster — consensus All-American PJ Haggerty, point guard Dante Harris and forward Bouna Kebe (who redshirted this season) — are eligible to return for the 2025-26 season, while incoming freshman Daniel Vieira-Tuck and junior college transfer Felipe Patino are presently verbally committed to Memphis.
In addition, starting center Dain Dainja (the AAC’s Newcomer of the Year this season) is seeking an additional season of eligibility − but there is no guarantee the NCAA will grant his waiver request.
Hardaway remains active in the transfer portal market, welcoming multiple official visitors recently, including Villanova big guard Kris Parker, Ohio State power forward Aaron Bradshaw and McNeese State guard Sincere Parker.
Davis brings a lot to the table in terms of experience. The SEC veteran played in 95 games (out of a possible 98) at South Carolina, making 38 starts (including 19 in 2024-25). He averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.4 minutes a game for a Gamecocks team (12-20) that was one of only two SEC programs that missed March Madness. Davis was his team’s fourth-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder. He was also tied for second in steals (35).
Davis shot just 38.2% from the field as a junior this season, which was a step backward from his 43.2% field goal percentage in 2023-24. His 27.7% 3-point percentage (28-of-101) this season is a career-best. Davis also struggled with turnovers this season, averaging 1.9 per game.
But Davis has shown he can elevate his game. In a 1-point loss to Florida on Jan. 22, he tied a career-high with 22 points (on 9-of-18 shooting). He also dropped 22 points on Mississippi State on Jan. 4.
The deadline for Division I players to enter the transfer portal is April 22. Players who enter after that date would need a waiver to be eligible for competition in 2025-26.
While players can commit to a school at any time, the regular signing period begins April 16 and ends May 21.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected], follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball gets SEC guard Zachary Davis from transfer portal
Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway welcomed a commitment from South Carolina transfer guard Zachary Davis on April 17, 2025.
The 6-foot-7 Orangeburg, S.C., native spent the past three seasons with the Gamecocks and has one season of eligibility remaining. He chose the Tigers over Xavier, Pitt and Cal.
Davis said he’s anxious to show Memphis fans what he can do.
“They should expect a caring, winning, competitive player each and every night,” Davis told The Commercial Appeal. “A defensive player that’s going to set the tone on defense. And a player on offense that can read the floor, see mismatches, dribble the ball, shoot the ball, get to my spots. Just an all-around player.”
Hardaway now has at least four scholarships to fill − a number that is always subject to change. Davis is the fourth transfer the Tigers have added this offseason and the third since April 13. Temple guard Quante Berry, Saint Mary’s wing Ashton Hardaway (Hardaway’s youngest son who spent his true freshman season with the Tigers in 2023-24), and Western Kentucky guard Julius “King” Thedford (a former Whitehaven and Cordova standout) have previously committed to Memphis.
Three players from the 2024-25 roster — consensus All-American PJ Haggerty, point guard Dante Harris and forward Bouna Kebe (who redshirted this season) — are eligible to return for the 2025-26 season, while incoming freshman Daniel Vieira-Tuck and junior college transfer Felipe Patino are presently verbally committed to Memphis.
In addition, starting center Dain Dainja (the AAC’s Newcomer of the Year this season) is seeking an additional season of eligibility − but there is no guarantee the NCAA will grant his waiver request.
Hardaway remains active in the transfer portal market, welcoming multiple official visitors recently, including Villanova big guard Kris Parker, Ohio State power forward Aaron Bradshaw and McNeese State guard Sincere Parker.
Davis brings a lot to the table in terms of experience. The SEC veteran played in 95 games (out of a possible 98) at South Carolina, making 38 starts (including 19 in 2024-25). He averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.4 minutes a game for a Gamecocks team (12-20) that was one of only two SEC programs that missed March Madness. Davis was his team’s fourth-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder. He was also tied for second in steals (35).
Davis shot just 38.2% from the field as a junior this season, which was a step backward from his 43.2% field goal percentage in 2023-24. His 27.7% 3-point percentage (28-of-101) this season is a career-best. Davis also struggled with turnovers this season, averaging 1.9 per game.
But Davis has shown he can elevate his game. In a 1-point loss to Florida on Jan. 22, he tied a career-high with 22 points (on 9-of-18 shooting). He also dropped 22 points on Mississippi State on Jan. 4.
The deadline for Division I players to enter the transfer portal is April 22. Players who enter after that date would need a waiver to be eligible for competition in 2025-26.
While players can commit to a school at any time, the regular signing period begins April 16 and ends May 21.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected], follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball gets SEC guard Zachary Davis from transfer portal
