A potential difference-maker in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), Austin Nichols abruptly announced his intention to transfer from Memphis, but the school is not willing to let go of their star forward.
"It was in the best interest of my family and I to decide to transfer from the University of Memphis," Nichols told ESPN Radio's station in Memphis, Tenn., 92.9, according to ESPN.com. "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."
Speaking with CBS Sports, Mark Nichols, Austin's father, said directly his son "will not return" to the Memphis men's basketball team.
But Memphis is not granting Nichols his release.
"And they did not give us a reason," Mark Nichols said. "So now we're going to have to appeal that decision and maybe hire a lawyer."
Memphis' incentive to try and keep Nichols is obvious, as the forward was a clear AAC Player of the Year candidate before an ankle injury ended his season three-and-a-half games too soon. The timing is also awful for the Tigers, who would have trouble replacing Nichols on the roster.
"The school isn't going to release him,'' Memphis head coach Josh Pastner told ESPN's Andy Katz. "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.
"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."
It is not clear what caused Nichols to want to transfer so late in the offseason, especially since he would have to sit out a year, per NCAA rules. Pastner also said the decision to deny Nichols' transfer request went up to the school's president and that the school has not heard from him since the announcement.
