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Tennessee Senate honors Nathaniel Root, a University of Memphis basketball legend from McNairy County, who was celebrated at FedEx Forum on January 14, 2026, during a game against Temple

Root enrolled at the University of Memphis in fall 1999 without any athletic scholarship offers and walked on to the basketball team, eventually earning a roster spot under Coach John Calipari

Root authored the memoir Root: A Memphis Hoops Dream, featuring a foreword by Coach Calipari, chronicling his journey from small-town Tennessee to college basketball

Root currently works as an author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, conducting speaking engagements throughout the region to encourage students and young athletes