After contemplating transferring away from the University of Memphis men's basketball team, redshirt freshman guard RaShawn "Pookie" Powell decided to stay at the U of M on Thursday afternoon, according to a source close to the program.
The Orlando, Fla., native sat out his first season at Memphis after failing to meet the academic standards set by the NCAA. He was ineligible to practice or play with the team.
Rumblings of Powell's intentions to transfer arose after a disagreement with the coaching staff about Powell's intentions for this summer. But, the two sides reconciled on Wednesday evening to keep Powell on campus for next season, according to a source.
The 6-foot, 177-pound guard is expected to contribute heavily to the decimated Memphis frontcourt. Next year's team will be without the four senior guards that anchored this year's squad.
Alongside Powell, Memphis hopes to get significant minutes from redshirt freshman Markel Crawford and several other incoming recruits.
Powell set the single-season scoring record as a senior at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. He averaged 27.8 points per game to go along with four assists and five boards.
Memphis head coach Josh Pastner said in his closing press conference that any player who was not "two-feet in" would not be welcome with the program, so it appears Powell has recommitted himself to the Tigers.
