2013 F Austin Nichols (Memphis Briarcrest)

#3,152
#3,152
BigZiti09 said:
What schools are within an hour or two from his house?
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Ole Miss? Distance isn't as big of a factor as it was coming out of high school. His family got to watch plenty of games in the past two years. Now the most important thing to him, and his dad, is getting on a team where he can win big and get drafted. He could have been starting for Duke or Virginia this past season. Watching Duke win and then having three of their guys drafted in the first round must have really messed with his head.
 
#3,154
#3,154
grizzfan86 said:
Supposedly the release wasn't granted because Nichols has yet to have a conversation with Pastner. A letter was written a week ago stating his intentions and asking for release, but he never stepped into Pastner's office for a face to face. Nichols just didn't show up for the last two mandatory practices. I fully expect Nichols to get his release sooner than later, as Pastner has always allowed, even helped players transfer if desired. I also doubt he would put restrictions on where he could transfer, besides the usual within conference restrictions. I would be even more shocked if Nichols strongly considered UT again, he's got two years and wants to be in a place he can win immediately, not a rebuilding job. He's got to be thinking that he could have been a starter on the Duke team that won it all this year. Another black eye for Pastner, who I have stated before that I want gone, and should be gone by the end of this season.
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If he thinks he'd have started for Duke, he's wrong.
 
#3,155
#3,155
grizzfan86 said:
Ole Miss? Distance isn't as big of a factor as it was coming out of high school. His family got to watch plenty of games in the past two years. Now the most important thing to him, and his dad, is getting on a team where he can win big and get drafted. He could have been starting for Duke or Virginia this past season. Watching Duke win and then having three of their guys drafted in the first round must have really messed with his head.
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Winslow and Okafor were top-10 picks because they're a lot better than Nichols is. On this past Duke team, he'd be battling Amile Jefferson for sixth-man minutes and probably losing.
 
#3,156
#3,156
grizzfan86 said:
Supposedly the release wasn't granted because Nichols has yet to have a conversation with Pastner. A letter was written a week ago stating his intentions and asking for release, but he never stepped into Pastner's office for a face to face. Nichols just didn't show up for the last two mandatory practices. I fully expect Nichols to get his release sooner than later, as Pastner has always allowed, even helped players transfer if desired. I also doubt he would put restrictions on where he could transfer, besides the usual within conference restrictions. I would be even more shocked if Nichols strongly considered UT again, he's got two years and wants to be in a place he can win immediately, not a rebuilding job. He's got to be thinking that he could have been a starter on the Duke team that won it all this year. Another black eye for Pastner, who I have stated before that I want gone, and should be gone by the end of this season.
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Rick Barnes maybe a factor. He has sent a few to the NBA.
 
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#3,160
#3,160
MemphisCanes said:
I doubt the Memphis brass will release him to UTK. Plus, kid only has two years left to play, he won't go to a rebuilding project. He'll head to an ACC power most likely.
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I don't expect to be a true rebuilding project for 3 straight years under Barnes. He has already recruited talented big men. But I get the point. If his sister is still at UT, then you can't totally rule it out.
 
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#3,161
#3,161
VolGee4 said:
I don't expect to be a true rebuilding project for 3 straight years under Barnes. He has already recruited talented big men. But I get the point. If his sister is still at UT, then you can't totally rule it out.
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Unless Memphis says he can't transfer to UT, which is likely.
 
#3,162
#3,162
VKAman said:
Winslow and Okafor were top-10 picks because they're a lot better than Nichols is. On this past Duke team, he'd be battling Amile Jefferson for sixth-man minutes and probably losing.
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You are underrating his talent. Remember that his coach has been Pastner. Any school in the country will take him.
 
#3,164
#3,164
VolGee4 said:
You are underrating his talent. Remember that his coach has been Pastner. Any school in the country will take him.
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Duke would definitely take him, and he might be the best big on their team this upcoming season if they had him. But he's not better than Winslow.
 
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#3,165
#3,165
VKAman said:
Duke would definitely take him, and he might be the best big on their team this upcoming season. But he's not better than Winslow.
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I don't know if he is "better" than Winslow. But they play different games. Nichols would have been a year ahead of Winslow and probably would have averaged double digit points and at least as many rebounds as Winslow.

Nichols would have been a solid contributor on that team.
 
#3,167
#3,167
Chris4Vols22 said:
Meanwhile, we had three players drafted since he's been there. Granted, I doubt many people saw that coming when he was being recruited.
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Yep, the ironic thing is that Nichols would have made a Sweet 16 at UT also. Now, he would have a coach who has put many guys in the lottery.
 
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#3,168
#3,168
His sister was already at UT when he was a senior right? If so, then she'll probably gone the year he would become eligible. Maybe that (having his sister here) isn't a positive for us anyway. It wasn't the first time either.
 
#3,169
#3,169
Real Info said:
His sister was already at UT when he was a senior right? If so, then she'll probably gone the year he would become eligible. Maybe that (having his sister here) isn't a positive for us anyway. It wasn't the first time either.
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I believe they are twins, and she was at UT his senior year. It is my understanding that he was held back at some point, probably for athletic reasons. I think I heard today that he is already 21, so that seems to fit. UT was very much in it when he was recruited. It is known that Austin enjoys activities off the court and is in a fraternity. There are a lot of private school kids in Memphis that go to UT, and there was speculation he had friends there. Ultimately, he decided to stay home, and I think family had a lot to do with it. I also heard that his mother works at FedEx, and there certainly are influential people at FedEx that support Memphis. Just background into his story. I don't fault any kid for doing what he wants, but he and his family apparently didn't feel like he was improving and wanted to change scenery to improve his chances at the professional level.
 
#3,170
#3,170
Nichols screwed up signing with Memphis and Pastner.. Should of stuck with Duke. I'm a Tiger fan growing up here in Memphis but this program now is in shambles, Pastner needs to go. Hope he does come to Tennessee.. But I see him heading to Duke
 
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#3,171
#3,171
Volz4lif3 said:
Nichols screwed up signing with Memphis and Pastner.. Should of stuck with Duke. I'm a Tiger fan growing up here in Memphis but this program now is in shambles, Pastner needs to go. Hope he does come to Tennessee.. But I see him heading to Duke
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Pastner has Dooley'd that basketball program.
 
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#3,172
#3,172
VolGee4 said:
I believe they are twins, and she was at UT his senior year. It is my understanding that he was held back at some point, probably for athletic reasons. I think I heard today that he is already 21, so that seems to fit. UT was very much in it when he was recruited. It is known that Austin enjoys activities off the court and is in a fraternity. There are a lot of private school kids in Memphis that go to UT, and there was speculation he had friends there. Ultimately, he decided to stay home, and I think family had a lot to do with it. I also heard that his mother works at FedEx, and there certainly are influential people at FedEx that support Memphis. Just background into his story. I don't fault any kid for doing what he wants, but he and his family apparently didn't feel like he was improving and wanted to change scenery to improve his chances at the professional level.
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You're correct and his dad wanted him at UT the whole time. Dad has taken over now and is "speaking" for Austin now. I expect him to ask Pastner for no restrictions. My guess is he will chose Duke if only worried about basketball (which he says he's not). If he is really also wanting to be where he is happy and can enjoy college life, as he has said, then the Vols very much come back into play. Add in our new head coach and his history of NBA players and development, and we may indeed be the best option/combination.
 
#3,174
#3,174
Mississippi State and Kansas are 2 schools being mentioned early, Tennessee will try to get involved but the thought is they are likely to be blocked per VQ.
 
#3,175
#3,175
CWGvol said:
You're correct and his dad wanted him at UT the whole time. Dad has taken over now and is "speaking" for Austin now. I expect him to ask Pastner for no restrictions. My guess is he will chose Duke if only worried about basketball (which he says he's not). If he is really also wanting to be where he is happy and can enjoy college life, as he has said, then the Vols very much come back into play. Add in our new head coach and his history of NBA players and development, and we may indeed be the best option/combination.
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Dad wanted him at Duke.
 
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