LaMarcus Golden, first cousin of Penny Hardaway, named new Tennessee Prep Academy boys coach

LaMarcus Golden is back on the sidelines coaching boys basketball.  

After spending the past four seasons leading the Memphis East girls basketball program, Golden is coaching boys as the new Tennessee Prep Academy coach.  

Harold Rayford is the coach of the Tennessee Prep Academy post-graduate team that won a national championship last year, and he played a big role in getting Golden, who will coach Tennessee Prep's high school team. 

"I just want to thank Coach Rayford for giving me a chance to get back into coaching the boys side,” Golden said. “I’m just ready to get back in it.” 

Golden is no stranger to the Memphis area. Before leading the Memphis East girls, he was an assistant for the East boys team with Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway. He also coached with Hardaway at Lester Middle School, was a high school teammate at Treadwell, and is a first cousin.

That was another reason he wanted to get back into coaching boys basketball. 

"Anything I can do to help him out, I’m going to do it,” said Golden, who had a 49-28 record as the East girls coach. “Not just him, but he’s first priority. We’re family and I’m a Tigers fan. . . . I’m just trying to help kids further their education and get into college.” 

ANOTHER BOYS BASKETBALL HIRE:Lausanne names Trezevant's Idris Harper as next boys basketball coach

HS BASKETBALL RECRUITING:Why Cordova's KJ Tenner stayed in Memphis for high school basketball rather than go to a prep school

If Golden can play a role in getting more Memphis area kids playing for his cousin, he was going to jump at any opportunity to help.  

“The Tigers are just as big as the Grizzlies around here,” Golden said. “The fans of the city love the Tigers, and high school basketball in Memphis is really second to none around the country. It’s big and most definitely going to do my best to help him continue to have success with the Tigers.” 

Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @wynstonw__.