Former University of Memphis forward Austin Nichols posting up in a game against UConn during the 2014-15 season. Nichols transferred from the U of M to the University of Virginia in July 2015.
Since Sunday, the University of Memphis basketball program has seen three players—Avery Woodson, Randall Broddie and Dante Scott—announce they would not be returning next year, as they have elected to transfer.
This comes as little surprise after the Tigers missed the post-season in two consecutive years, while going 37-29 over that span.
But transfers are nothing new for the U of M. Memphis has seen 12 players transfer since the summer of 2014.
Let’s take a look back at each player and where they are now:
Damien Wilson – Kennesaw State
In two seasons at Memphis (2012- 14), Wilson showed some potential, but he couldn’t crack the rotation, averaging just 5.9 minutes per game. As a Tiger, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged just 1.8 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. Because of the lack of playing time, Wilson decided to transfer to Kennesaw State prior to the 2014-15 season. After being cleared to play immediately by the NCAA, Wilson finished the season as the Owls’ third leading scorer at 10.6 points per game. Wilson did not return to the Owls for his senior season in 2015-16 due to academic issues.
Dominic Woodson – Tennessee
Woodson came to Memphis in 2013 with tons of size and potential. He struggled to see time on the floor though because of his conditioning and disciplinary issues. The 6-foot-10 big man averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds through 20 games his freshman season. Before the 2014-15 season, Woodson got into an altercation with a member of the football team, which resulted in the university deciding not to renew his scholarship. Woodson transferred to Tennessee, where he could play immediately due to a run-off waiver. After playing just four games for the Vols—in which he averaged 3.5 points and two rebounds—Woodson decided to leave Donnie Tyndall’s program as he struggled to earn playing time.
Dominic Magee – Grand Canyon
Magee came to Memphis as a fourstar recruit and the prize of the Tigers’ 2014 recruiting class. But Tiger Nation never got a chance to see Magee in action, as the Louisiana native transferred from the program after just one semester. The 6-foot-4 guard transferred to Grand Canyon University. After sitting out the spring semester of the 2014- 15 season and the first eight games of the 2015-16 season, Magee finally got his chance. In his first game for the Antelopes, Magee racked up 29 points, six rebounds and three assists. Although that kind of production did not keep up, Magee proved himself to be a solid role player in his freshman season with Grand Canyon—posting 7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists through 15.6 minutes per game.
Kuran Iverson – Rhode Island
Iverson had a lot of hype as he rose through the high school rankings, being the cousin of Allen Iverson, he came to Memphis as one of the top gets in the highly touted 2013 recruiting class. With Iverson’s size and athleticism, Iverson looked as if he could be a star for the Tigers. But Iverson struggled once arriving in Memphis. He had a hard time cracking the rotation and dealt with some disciplinary issues and injury struggles. Through two seasons, in which Iverson only appeared in 27 games for he Tigers, he averaged 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. In January of 2015, Iverson elected to transfer away from the program after he and Pastner had somewhat of a falling out, which involved an incident on social media. Iverson transferred to Rhode Island, where he was granted a hardship waiver to play immediately at the start of the 2015-16 season. In his first season with the Rams, he averaged 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds through 27.1 minutes per game.
Nick King – Alabama
Another highly touted player of the 2013 class, King had big expectations when he first suited up for the Tigers. King was known as a player who had unlimited range and great skill and size at 6-foot-7, but he was never overly athletic. He struggled guarding quicker, more athletic players at the small forward position. This caused Pastner to move King to the power forward, or four spot, as King had an incredible knack for rebounding and getting put-back buckets. Through two seasons, King averaged six points and four rebounds per game. Although his new position was a benefit for the team, it meant less playing time and less exposure for his future, as he is too small to play power forward in the NBA. This, along with the struggles of the 2014-15 season, played into King electing to transfer after the season. King decided to take his talents to the University of Alabama, where he sat out the 2015-16 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Rashawn “Pookie†Powell – La Salle
Just like many of the aforementioned players, Powell came to Memphis as a member of the 2013 recruiting class. He was rated a top-100 prospect by ESPN. Powell struggled to qualify academically and had to sit out the 2013-14 season. After almost transferring before the start of the 2014-15 season, Powell decided to stick with the Tigers. Through his lone season with the Tigers, he averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 assists through 15.4 minutes per game. After he was pushed out of the rotation, Powell decided to go ahead and transfer to La Salle University, where he sat out the 2015-16 due to NCAA transfer rules.
Austin Nichols – Virginia
Nichols was the prize of the 2013 recruiting class. Through his two seasons at the University of Memphis, he lived up to that hype. Throughout the 2014-15 year, Nichols averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocks (third highest in the nation) per game, becoming the Tigers’ star player and next great big man. The Tigers struggled to rack up wins though without a true point guard in 2014-15. It seemed as if everything was oaky on the Nichols front, but late into the offseason Nichols announced he would be leaving the program. This was by far the most devastating transfer blow to the program. Nichols elected to transfer to the University of Virginia, as coach Tony Bennett recruited Nichols to join the Cavaliers when Nichols was still at Briarcrest High School. Nichols sat out the 2015-16 season due to NCAA transfer rules but will most likely start for the Cavaliers next season.
D’Marnier Cunningham – Central Missouri
Cunningham transferred to Memphis from Kaskaskia College in 2014. At the junior college ranks, he averaged 12.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Upon arriving at Memphis, Cunningham had to sit out the first semester of play because of academic qualifying issues. Once being cleared, Cunningham averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds through 20 games. Because of a lack of scholarships, Cunningham’s scholarship was only held for one season. Had Cunningham returned for the 2015-16 season, he would have had to play as a walk-on. This resulted in Cunningham transferring to University of Central Missouri. In his first season with the Mules, Cunningham led the team with 14.9 points per game.
Raquan Mitchell – TBD
Mitchell, who originally committed to Texas A&M, landed at Memphis just before the 2015-16 season. The 6-foot-3 guard was looking for a program where he could make an immediate impact as a freshman. Mitchell was accepted with open arms by Pastner but not with the intentions Mitchell had hoped for. Pastner wanted to redshirt the guard instead. Mitchell didn’t attend a single game with the Tigers and ultimately transferred just before the end of his first semester at Memphis. Mitchell dropped down to the junior college ranks, transferring to South Plains Community College.
Avery Woodson – TBD
After two seasons at the University of Memphis, Woodson announced via Instagram he would be transferring from the program. The 6-foot-3 guard graduates this spring, meaning he can transfer and play immediately with his new team as a graduate transfer. Woodson is coming off his best season as a Tiger, in which he averaged 9.6 points per game while shooting a career high 42 percent from behind the arc. This was the latest blow to the Tigers’ roster. Woodson’s shooting would have been a huge piece of the puzzle moving forward for Pastner’s squad. Woodson has yet to decide where he is heading.
Randall Broddie – TBD
Broddie is in a similar situation as Mitchell. Broddie wasn’t with the team all season and didn’t attend any games. Many speculated he was being held out as a potential redshirt if he was to remain with the team, but he announced this week he would be transferring from the program. It’s hard to say how Broddie could have affected the Tigers but nevertheless is another player who feeds into the transfer issue at Memphis.
Dante Scott – TBD
Scott enrolled at Memphis as a walkon, despite receiving multiple offers to play for lower-level schools. Scott saw limited action in his freshman year, averaging 0.4 points and 0.6 rebounds per game. After seeing basically no action in the 2015-16 season, Scott announced he would transfer from the program as well. He has yet to announce to where he is transferring.
Overall: It’ll be interesting to see where the program goes from here. This large amount of transfers over this short of time span is not common in the NCAA. With the recent struggles of the last two years and so many players electing to transfer away from the school, Memphis could start to become a less attractive destination for high caliber recruits.
