MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers were just dealt a huge blow by the NCAA.
Former Tigers star DeAndre Williams will not be eligible to play in a fourth season for Memphis after the University's waiver for an additional year of eligibility was denied.
This process has been ongoing for months. The school's initial request was denied and Memphis appealed, but the NCAA denied the request once again.
Here is the official statement for the University of Memphis.
“We are extremely disappointed a waiver for an additional year of eligibility for DeAndre Williams was denied, which came following a request for reconsideration of the initial denial and then an appeal. We felt the evidence about academic misadvisement prior to his initial collegiate enrollment that was uncovered and provided to the NCAA was sufficient to grant this waiver, and we also strongly believed the depth of additional information shared with the NCAA on an ongoing basis would be on DeAndre’s side. Unfortunately, after multiple months of back-and-forth, the NCAA arrived at a different conclusion. We appreciate DeAndre’s contributions to our men’s basketball program over the past two-and-a-half years, and he will always be a Memphis Tiger. Nevertheless, we are very much looking forward to an exciting season on the court for our men’s basketball team.”
Williams transferred to Memphis in 2020. The guard was integral to the Tiger's success last season.
Head coach Penny Hardaway has repeatedly discussed the importance of having Williams on this year's team.
"We want him back," Hardaway said following Thursday night's exhibition game. "We want to have an opportunity to win a national championship. I think he enhances that by a lot."
As of Thursday night, Hardaway remained optimistic about Williams' chances of playing this season.
"I'm really just trying to speak it into existence to be honest," Hardaway said. "I am staying very positive because I want DeAndre to stay positive as well."
Williams started in all 35 games for the Tigers last season, averaging 17.7 points.