Austin Nichols started his career with the Memphis Tigers, but after two seasons has discovered it would be best if he took his talents elsewhere.
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Nichols averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocked shots per game as a sophomore with the Tigers. He’ll provide the Cavaliers with another big man who will help to add to their stout defensive reputation.
The 6-foot-9-inch forward will have to sit out the 2015-16 season. And with the Cavaliers losing a verbal commitment from 2016 power forward Sacha Killeya-Jones, the addition of Nichols is a welcome boost to the program’s interior rotation in 2016-17. He shot 58.9 percent from the floor and had 14 double-figure scoring games. Memphis backed off that hard-line stance when the Nichols family threatened a lawsuit, paving the way for him to commit to a Virginia program already on the rise.
After filing an appeal, Memphis relented and granted Nichols an unconditional release. “I’d also like to thank the University of Memphis, my teammates, coaches, and the fans for the last two years I’ve been here”, Nichols told ESPN 92.9. Virginia was among the schools Nichols was banned from transferring to, but his family hired a lawyer and eventually Memphis dropped the stipulations.
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Wood can be reached by phone at 757-247-4642.
