October 13, 2021
Tigers in the Spotlight at Memphis Madness
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers wowed the FedExForum crowd during Memphis Madness presented by Ashley HomeStore Wednesday night, with freshman Josh Minott capping the night with a slam dunk contest championship.
The 2021 National Invitation Tournament champions and the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class were on full display all evening. After head coach Penny Hardaway entered the arena on a Polaris Slingshot and an all-Memphis concert headlined by Moneybagg Yo, the players showed their talents in a skills competition, a shooting challenge, a 3-point shooting contest and the dunk competition.
Minott, who hails from Boca Raton, Fla., earned the crown with a thunderous slam that had the fans and his teammates on their feet.
“Tonight was surreal,” Minott said. “I’m a long way from home, and where I’m from is not really a big basketball community. A night like this is a first for me in terms of the fanbase. I’ve never had a more supporting fanbase. You’re always going to have high school fans, but in terms of the national exposure, it’s great to be here.”
The night was capped by an eight-minute scrimmage, with both sides running and gunning for the fans.
The Tigers now turn their attention to a pair of preseason exhibition games, hosting LeMoyne-Owen on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. and Lane College on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.