Memphis Tigers have named Ethan Hunt as their new director of scouting, a move that follows the dismissal of Joshua Townsend after the previous season. Hunt arrives with a résumé that spans graduate work at LSU Women's Basketball, where he helped the team to an Elite Eight finish in 2025 and a Sweet 16 run in 2026, and a stint as a basketball operations intern with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
During his time at LSU, Hunt specialized in video coordination, a skill set that dovetails with his recent completion of the NBA Future Basketball Operations Stars program. The curriculum, which covers analytics, roster construction, scouting and salary‑cap strategy, equipped him with a modern toolkit for evaluating talent at the collegiate and professional levels.
Hunt's background also includes a season as a site manager for PGC Basketball and a student‑manager role at Morehouse College, where he oversaw day‑to‑day operations for the men's program. He further sharpened his scouting acumen through participation in the NBA’s HBCU Event Intern Program during the 2023 All‑Star festivities, a platform that connects emerging talent with league decision‑makers.
A busy offseason for the Tigers
The hiring is part of a broader overhaul of Penny Hardaway's staff, which this offseason added Tony Madlock, Gabriel Harris, Sean Mock, Trevor DeLoach, Steve Wright and Phil Baier. Together, the new cohort brings a mix of analytical depth and on‑court experience as the program prepares for its 2026‑27 campaign, slated to open against Iowa State in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on November 2.
Hardaway emphasized that Hunt's appointment reflects a commitment to integrating data‑driven insights with traditional scouting. "Ethan's blend of video expertise and analytical training aligns perfectly with where we want to go," Hardaway said in the announcement. The move signals an intent to leverage advanced metrics while preserving the program's long‑standing emphasis on player development.