Memphis basketball has procured a commitment from Kansas State transfer point guard Dug McDaniel, multiple sources confirmed to The Commercial Appeal on April 24.
The 5-foot-11 Washington D.C., spent his first two seasons at Michigan before suiting up for the Wildcats in 2024-25.
McDaniel is the seventh transfer coach Penny Hardaway has landed this offseason, joining Ohio State forward Aaron Bradshaw, McNeese State guard Sincere Parker, Temple guard Quante Berry, Western Kentucky guard Julius “King” Thedford, South Carolina guard Zachary Davis, Saint Mary’s wing Ashton Hardaway.
Currently, one player from the 2024-25 roster — point guard Dante Harris — is in line to return for the 2025-26 season. All-American guard PJ Haggerty is currently in the transfer portal and could be back with the Tigers. In addition, all-conference big man 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.
Also, incoming freshman Daniel Vieira-Tuck and junior college transfer Felipe Patino are presently verbally committed to Memphis.
Hardaway now has at least three scholarships to fill − a number that is always subject to change.
What to know about Memphis basketball transfer Dug McDaniel
McDaniel − the nephew of former NBA player and head coach Eddie Jordan − averaged 11.4 points (on 37.8% shooting from the field) and 4.9 assists (fifth in the Big 12 and 56th in the nation) in 32 games (23 starts) for Kansas State.
A high-volume shot-taker, McDaniel attempted 12 field goals per game − or, 25.3% of the Wildcats’ total shots while he was on the court. By comparison, Haggerty took 27.3% of the Tigers’ shots in 2024-25.
McDaniel connected on 25.8% from the 3-point line (on 132 attempts) at Kansas State − a substantial drop-off from his percentages at Michigan − and averaged 1.7 steals per game (tied for 11th-most in the Big 12). His 85 turnovers were seventh-most in the Big 12.
While most of his production suffered relative to his time at Michigan, McDaniel’s assist numbers have been consistently strong. In three seasons (92 games), McDaniel has 401 assists, which works out to a career 4.3 per game average.
As a sophomore with the Wolverines, McDaniel finished ninth in the Big Ten in scoring (16.4 points per game), 13th in 3-point field goal percentage among players with at least four attempts per game (36.8%) and seventh in assists per game (4.7).
McDaniel missed six games (all road dates) during the 2023-24 season after Michigan suspended him for academic reasons. The statement former Wolverines coach Juwan Howard issued at the time read, in part, “… (McDaniel) will work towards meeting several academic goals he has set and needs to meet.”
“I just wasn’t handling my business, holding my end of the bargain,” McDaniel told reporters in 2024.
While players can commit to a school at any time, the regular signing period began April 16 and ends May 21.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.