Memphis denies Austin Nichols' transfer request
Memphis leading scorer Austin Nichols wants to play his college basketball elsewhere this upcoming season.
The junior forward told 92.9 ESPN's John Martin on Tuesday he intends to transfer.
"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 said.
Nichols' father, Mark, confirmed the transfer plans to CBS Sports' Gary Parish on Tuesday, stating his son "will not return."
Appearing in 27 games last season, Nichols averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and one assist before a February ankle injury cut his season short.
According to a school statement, obtained by 92.9 ESPN, Nichols missed a team workout Tuesday:
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.
The elder Nichols told CBS Sports that Austin asked for a release seven business days ago, but Memphis denied the release Tuesday without explanation.
"So now we're going to have to appeal that decision and maybe hire a lawyer," said Mark.
Memphis head coach Josh Pastner told ESPN's Andy Katz the program refused Nichols' request due to the timing.
"The school isn't going to release him,'' Pastner said. "We spoke with Austin in mid-June and everything was fine. We named him captain after the season. We don't know what has changed.''
Pastner added that the request caught the coaching staff off guard.
"He's a potential player of the year in our league. He's been nothing but great the first two years we have had him,'' Pastner said. "He's been terrific on the floor.''
Pastner also told Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News that he hasn't heard a word from Austin, nor has anyone on the Tigers' coaching staff. He only received an email from an account belonging to the players' father requesting a transfer.
"I've never held a kid back," Pastner said. "It's not about trying to hold a kid back."
He also noted the team's schedule was built with Austin's presence in the lineup in mind, and given the lateness of the decision, finding a comparable talent is unlikely.
"In life, there are principles and people need to be held accountable to responsibility,” Pastner said. "You have to be a man of your word. I’ve run my program that way.
"These guys aren’t kids. They're treated extremely well. They're accorded the highest level of privileges."