PHILADELPHIA — The reason Jonathan Pierre has had trouble carving out any sort of meaningful role so far this season is simple.

It's because of Jonathan Pierre. Following his best game in a Memphis basketball uniform − providing some much-needed scoring punch for the Tigers (17-6, 6-4 AAC) with 10 points off the bench in Thursday's 84-77 win at Temple − the 6-foot-9 newcomer said as much.

Prior to the trip to The Liacouras Center, Pierre had played in just 12 of the team's 22 games, averaging only 4.4 minutes this season. His production was equally as spotty, scoring six and eight points in back-to-back appearances (against Alabama State and Villanova) − but never more than two points in any other outing.

But, against the Owls (8-15, 1-9), Pierre found his spark. He attempted four field goals (all 3-pointers) and made three of them. Two came in the second half, the latter hitting nothing but net with 1:35 remaining to push Memphis' lead to 76-68.

Pierre and others hope it's a turning point for the former Division II star, who averaged 14.4 points a game at Nova Southeastern last season. If it is, it's because coach Penny Hardaway gave Pierre the unvarnished truth.

“He gave me the real,” Pierre said in front of a room full of mostly Philadelphia media members. “I’ve been fighting ever since I got here – just been fighting the coaches, and it hasn’t been working out for me.”

Pierre admitted the transition from Nova Southeastern to Memphis has not been easy. Hardaway and his coaching staff have been trying to mold the Florida native into a more physical, more versatile player. One who can defend at a high level while also being a someone who can score inside and outside on offense.

Pierre said he didn't exactly see himself as that guy. So, he resisted. Then, earlier this week, he had a breakthrough.

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“Obviously, in the transfer portal era, all dudes coming together from different walks of life, different programs, I would say there could’ve been a little chaos,” said Pierre. “Instead of adding to the chaos, which I probably did, I gave it a positive outlook and everything I started doing was positive.

“Cheering everybody on. Being that guy that, like, if somebody’s down, like, ‘I got you brother.’ After that talk, everything started clicking in practice.”

For Hardaway, Pierre's improved "energy" was noticeable soon after their talk and it carried over on the Tigers' trip to Temple.

“He’s been having a better attitude, which is making him play better basketball,” Hardaway said. “He’s been kinda in his own way. We’ve seen the talent. I train him, so I know his talent. He’s the most skilled player on the team when his mental is right.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball: What Penny Hardaway did to help Jonathan Pierre