Memphis Men's CBB on Probation After Softball Players Were Paid to Complete Coursework

The Memphis men's basketball program has been placed on two-year probation by the NCAA after a former academic counselor paid two softball players to complete coursework for a basketball player, according to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander.

According to the NCAA's infractions filing, the softball players were paid a total of $550 to complete assignments and provide test and quiz answers to the basketball player.

Memphis has been assessed a $30,000 fine in addition to 1 percent of the combined budget for the men's basketball and softball programs, according to the NCAA.

Jason Munz of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the Memphis men's basketball program will have to vacate wins overs Wichita State, Temple and Tulane that took place between Jan. 25 and Feb. 18, 2024.

The softball team went winless during that span and will not vacate any victories, according to Munz.

That span of games ends five days before Memphis fired Leslie Brooks, the academic counselor identified by the NCAA as being involved in the case, according to Munz.

Brooks was dismissed one day before Memphis announced that now-former men's basketball player Malcolm Dandridge would be held out of competition amid concerns regarding his "eligibility."

Munz reported at the time that decision came in the wake of "potential academic misconduct" by Dandridge.

A Memphis spokesperson then told Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde in September 2024 that the program had forwarded to the NCAA an anonymous letter it received that accused head coach Penny Hardaway of being involved in academic violations that allegedly took place during the 2023-24 academic year.

Forde noted at the time that the letter's claims had "not been independently substantiated."

No penalties were issued by the NCAA toward Hardaway. Brooks was issued a 10-year show-cause penalty, which will prevent her from participating in any athletics-related activities if hired by another NCAA institution over the next decade, according to the NCAA.

Memphis noted in a statement that the probation does not include "a postseason ban of any kind" for either the basketball or softball programs.

The program also "outlined several measures of corrective action to ensure the violations do not occur in the future" as part of their agreement with the NCAA, according to Memphis.

Memphis previously received a three-year probation from NCAA in September 2022 after being accused of recruiting violations involving former player James Wiseman. The additional two years of probation will likely extend that penalty until 2028, according to Munz.