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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.
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Sunday / December 22.
  • Feb 28, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane forward TK Edogi (14) lays the ball up against Memphis Tigers forward Austin Nichols (4) during the game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

    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.”

    Florida State landed a huge commitment on Monday when Jonathan Isaac pulled the trigger for the Seminoles.

    A 6-foot-9, 17-year old small forward from Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy who may still grow to 7-feet, Isaac also held scholarship offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Wake Forest and Pitt, among many others.

    “When your with family, you feel safe, loved, wanted, and able to be yourself,” Isaac told SNY.tv.

    Georgios-Papagiannis-Greek-U19Georgios Papagiannis, the 7-foot-1, 260-pound center playing for Greek club Panathinaikos, will meet with the club about his future either Monday or Tuesday, according to a report from PackInsider.com.

    “After meeting with them he should be able to make his decision on whether or not he will play college basketball,” Matthew Bradham wrote.

    Papagiannis told SI.com he’s committed to making a decision soon but hadn’t fully committed to playing American college basketball.

    “There’s a chance I’ll stay here, and there’s a chance I’ll go there,” he said. “I have made a list with four schools: N.C. State, Kentucky, St. John’s and Oregon.”

    CJLS23_WcAACb3RFresh off winning gold medals with the USA U19 team at the World Championship in Greece on Sunday, 2016 stars Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles are expected to compete this week at the Nike Peach Jam.

    The 6-foot-8 Tatum will play with the St. Louis Eagles, while the 6-10 Giles is on the CP3 roster. The teams are in different pools in the Under-17 bracket and won’t meet during pool play, which begins Thursday at 9 a.m.

    Tatum went for 13 points in Sunday’s 79-71 overtime victory over Croatia, while Giles had 13 points and 16 rebounds.

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