Is PJ Haggerty a '$4 million' man? Memphis basketball star becoming fascinating case study

PJ Haggerty, in the span of less than a week, has thrust himself into the national NIL spotlight.He was a star player for Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway in 2024-25.

He became a consensus second-team All-American for the AAC champion Tigers.

The 6-foot-3 Haggerty was already a top-15 scorer in the country before arriving at Memphis, but Hardaway made him a top-three scorer nationally on a 29-win team.In this new seemingly super-charged free-wheeling, free-spending environment that college athletics has become, a player with Haggerty's bona fides should be at the head of the line for a massive payday.

And he might be.

But, will he get everything he's reportedly seeking, or will he have to settle for less after entering the transfer portal? If Haggerty winds up being offered less than he imagined he would by leaving the Tigers, could there be an about-face in the offing? And, if there is, would Hardaway even be amenable at this point?What PJ Haggerty is reportedly seekingField of 68 co-founder Jeff Goodman reported Haggerty is asking for at least $4 million in NIL money.

He added that Haggerty's father, Patrick, is acting as the point person on his son's behalf.

"The starting point is $4 million," Goodman said on his podcast Monday.Which tracks considering that's what Texas Tech is forking over to JT Toppin, who also happens to be coming off a consensus second-team All-American season, according to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander.Goodman also reported Haggerty (who has two seasons of eligibility remaining) wants to play primarily point guard.

He predominantly played off the ball at Memphis, although he got a little run at the one.

The results were mixed.As a result, things haven't exactly been silky smooth for Haggerty, according to Goodman, since hitting the open market.

"A lot of these bigger schools are saying theres no way.

Whether its St.

John's, whether it's Baylor, whether it's Indiana, whether it's Kansas, whether it's Florida Im told all of them are out at that asking price ($4 million)," Goodman said before theorizing Haggerty winds up playing for a coach "who might be desperate."Goodman also mentioned Ole Miss as a potential landing spot.Patrick Haggerty declined to speak with The Commercial Appeal when contacted on April 18.

Could PJ Haggerty return to Memphis basketball?The general consensus is Haggerty's time with the Tigers has come to an end.Memphis is unwilling to meet Haggerty's current price tag, multiple sources familiar with the program's decision-making process told The Commercial Appeal.

The sources requested anonymity because the discussions have not been made publicBut, what if the Haggerty's misplayed their hand? If the most Haggerty can command on the open market is $3-$3.5 million, would the Tigers pay it and would Haggerty pull a seat back up to the table? Maybe.

It's also entirely possible the bridge has been burned beyond repair and Hardaway wouldn't even entertain it.

It sure seems that way.

McNeese State scoring guard Sincere Parker committed to the Tigers not even 24 hours after Haggerty entered the portal.

Kansas State point guard Dug McDaniel was on campus for an official visit on April 21, and Memphis seems to be in good shape with him.

Hardaway has also already added guards Quante Berry, Julius "King" Thedford and Zachary Davis.

But if we've learned anything about college athletics during the ever-evolving NIL/transfer portal era, it's that things can always change.

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: Is Memphis basketball star PJ Haggerty a '$4 million' man?.

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