Women’s college basketball schedule, 2023-24

Memphis Basketball Vs Alabama Scouting Report For Exhibition Vs Mark Sears, Crimson Tide

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The Tyreek Smith Saga And What To Expect When Memphis Basketball Faces Alabama

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Memphis Basketball's Severe NIL Problem Is Causing Major Issues With Frustrated Players

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The University of Memphis seems to have an NIL problem that continues to cause problems with its college basketball program. Fifth-year senior transfer Tyreek Smith's holdout from practice earlier this week only begins to scratch the surface of what is going on.

It sounds like the Tigers don't have enough money to make good on their promises.

This growing concern about finances in West Tennessee first came to light last season. Former McDonald's All-American center Jordan Brown stepped away from the program on Dec. 8 with an "illness" and did not return to the court until Jan. 20. Exact details of what happened between the two parties are unknown, but there is a widespread belief that unfulfilled financial agreements might've played a role in the unusual departure.

Fast forward to last weekend.

Smith, an offseason addition through the transfer portal, was reportedly set to leave the team because he was not getting paid according to his contract with Bluff City Collective. He did not practice with his team on Monday, just two weeks before the start of the regular season.

His agent (perhaps better described as a mentor) offered a scathing review of Memphis' NIL operation and made it abundantly clear that Smith was not going to work for free. Penny Hardaway, who does typically not handle conversations regarding NIL, immediately got on the phone to get things figured out behind the scenes. The seventh-year head coach later posted a cryptic image on Instagram after his 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward returned to the court on Tuesday.

Boog, the Head of Young Money APAA Sports, serves as Smith's agent/mentor and controls the a lot of the narrative with this larger discussion about the Tigers and their NIL pool. According to Hitmen Hoops, he is going to work closely with Memphis and the Bluff City Collective to secure the money necessary to pay its players what they were promised. There are major concerns among players in the locker room.

This is not an isolated situation with Tyreek, and there are multiple other players with similar concerns.

Boog is committed to helping Penny raise the additional NIL that Memphis needs for this season.

— @HitmenHoops on X

The 2024-25 college basketball season has yet to officially begin but the Tigers are already involved in drama. Penny Hardaway's program cannot be normal. Memphis is always dealing with something and this NIL disaster is just the latest problem!

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