Memphis tipped off the season Monday night with one loss before the game ever began.
Tyreek Smith entered the transfer portal before the Tigers started the regular season with an 83-75 win over Missouri at FedEx Forum. Smith averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game at SMU last season and recently took time away from the team in a name, image and likeness dispute (NIL).
Memphis coach Anfernee Hardaway confirmed Smith’s exit. In a radio interview following the game Monday night, Hardaway said Smith is “definitely gone for good.”
Smith’s next team will be his fifth after going from Texas Tech to Oklahoma State, then landing at SMU only to join Memphis.
Asked why he felt Smith decided to transfer this time, Hardaway said he wasn’t certain.
“I can’t put my finger on it, to be very honest with you. Maybe he just wanted to see what it was like (at Memphis) from June until now. But we loved him. Wanted him to stay, but we respect his wishes,” Hardaway said.
Hardaway said he discussed mounting “pressures” Smith was experiencing before granting the personal days last month.
“There’s so much pressure with playing time, with family members, with all kinds of stuff happening,” Hardaway said. “He came to me and asked for a couple of personal days, and I gave them to him. He never once told me that he was quitting.”
“Tyreek informed the staff that he would like to explore other opportunities,” the Memphis sports information department said in a statement. “We would like to thank Tyreek for his hard work and dedication while at the University of Memphis and wish him the best of luck.”