Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Austin Nichols Denied Release From Memphis (UPDATED)
Memphis Tigers forward Austin Nichols (4) wants to transfer but has been denied a release. Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Junior forward Austin Nichols wants to leave Memphis but the school has not granted him a release.
“It was in the best interest of my family and I to decide to transfer from the University of Memphis. I want to thank everyone for supporting me in my two years at Memphis. The coaching staff, fans, family and friends. As for me, I think it’s best if I move on from here,” Nichols told 92.9 FM ESPN.
Memphis released this statement on Tuesday according to 92.9 FM ESPN: “Austin Nichols missed a team workout this afternoon. Like all issues of this nature, we will handle this matter internally. Austin is an important member of our team and we fully expect him to be a leader for the Memphis basketball program moving forward.”
“He did ask for a release and we were denied,” Mark Nichols, the player’s father, told SNY.tv by text Tuesday evening after the news was first reported by CBSSports.com.
Asked what was next, he said, “The appeal process with [the] University.”
The 6-foot-9 Nichols averaged 13.2 points and 6.1 rebounds last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
Nichols also considered Virginia, Vanderbilt, Duke, Tennessee, and Auburn before committing to Memphis in November of 2012.
From that 2013 recruiting class, Kuran Iverson (Rhode Island), Nick King (Alabama) and Pookie Powell (La Salle) have already transferred.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
