An ongoing story has emerged regarding Tyreek Smith’s potential departure from the Memphis Basketball program.
Originally reported by Hitmen Hoops, Smith has informed head coach Penny Hardaway of his intentions to leave. After transferring from SMU, he joined the Tigers to compete for the starting forward position, battling lone returner Nick Jourdain for the spot.
Although Smith did not attend yesterday’s practice, both sides are working to resolve their misunderstandings.
Original Reports
Initial reports indicated that Smith intended to leave the program. However, statements from the University characterize his absence as simply stepping away for a day due to “personal reasons.” This explanation could be seen as a temporary effort to manage the situation.
Smith is currently enrolled in the University’s Master’s Program and would be eligible to play immediately at a new school after the conclusion of the 2024 fall semester.
Some are already comparing this situation to Jordan Brown’s last season, where Brown briefly left the team but ultimately returned.
Representative’s Claims
Yesterday morning, Smith’s representative from Young Money Sports began sharing his story on Twitter.
The representative, ‘Boog,’ would claim that his client has not received any payment in four months from Memphis. He further asserted that the program made numerous broken promises.
Additionally, Boog aimed to dispel the notion that Smith was running from competition.
Background Context
With Rick Stansbury serving as the negotiator during many of Memphis’ recruiting pitches, this situation may stem from his departure from the staff. Boog himself would attest that these issues do not fall solely on Coach Hardaway.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains difficult to discern where both parties currently stand. If the original reports hold true, Memphis could be without a key piece in their frontcourt.
On the radio, Hitmen Hoops clarified that the staff is strongly considering adding a player before the December deadline.
Recent Developments
Jon Rothstein confirmed that Smith returned to practice for the Tigers on Tuesday.
Moreover, Gary Parrish addressed rumors, initially stirred up by Boog, regarding Smith receiving no payment. Parrish clarified that Smith has earned $175,000 so far during his time with the program, which amounts to one-third of his total compensation.
