Former Tigers basketball standout Nathaniel Root was back on campus last week, and the former walk-on had plenty to say about where Memphis basketball has been, where it is now and what students should carry with them.
Root, now 45, played for the Tigers from 2000 to 2003 after arriving as an unrecruited high school player and earning his way from walk-on to scholarship status. One year after releasing his book, “Root: A Memphis Hops Dream”, he returned to share lessons from that journey and reflect on the modern college game.
“When I come back to games, people recognize me,” Root said in a press conference with the Daily Helmsman.
His path at Memphis was built on work, and he said that was part of what made him a trusted option when John Calipari needed someone to step in for an injured player. Root said he trained whenever he could and became the kind of player Calipari could call on in a pinch.
Root also spoke candidly about how much college basketball has changed. He said NIL deals have taken away some of the loyalty that used to define the sport.
In his view, the game in the 2000s looked very different, with transfers happening only occasionally. Now, he said, players can end up at a new school every year.
“If I play at four different unis and my eligibility is up, where am I an alumni at?” Root said.
Root played during Calipari’s arrival, and he credited the coach with shifting how the city viewed the program. Calipari was added to the University of Memphis’ Hall of Fame earlier this year.
“He brought this mentality, this excitement into the city,” Root said. “And this city, I don't care whether you were the top guy or the bottom guy, they treated like you were a rock star. And that was what was so special about this city and this atmosphere of Tiger basketball.”
He said he sees some of the same qualities in Penny Hardaway, the current Tigers coach, and still tries to stay connected whenever he visits campus. Root said he likes being around the program, talking with coaches and keeping close to the team.
That connection made it easier for him to look at the current state of the Tigers with optimism. Memphis opened its season by beating then-ranked No. 18 Iowa State last Tuesday, and Root said that kind of start matters after a rough year.
“I know we had a rough year last year,” Root said. “But I think the excitement of what it can be this year… I think he’s got the right players, he’s got the right staff.”
For Root, the path back to fan support is simple.
“Win.”
He also had advice for journalism students hoping to interview athletes. His message was straightforward: do the homework, ask the right things and don’t try to manufacture drama.
“Know who you’re talking to and know your questions”, he said. “Don’t push their buttons, and don’t go hunting for a scandal where there isn’t one.”
Root said he never had a bad experience with journalists.
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