Memphis removes all conditions for Austin Nichols’ transfer

That includes Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and South Carolina, Virginia, Iowa, Providence and Tennessee.

“The University of Memphis has reviewed the appeal submitted by Austin Nichols and has agreed to remove all conditions from his release”, read a statement from the school. Now, following a threatened lawsuit, Memphis has backed off completely and will let Nichols go.

“There’s no legal basis for Memphis to deny a release at this point”, Don Jackson, Nichols’ attorney, told ESPN. Memphis could face Virginia, Providence and Iowa in the 2016 Emerald Coast Classic tournament in Destin, Florida. “The current NCAA regulations relative to member institution to member institution transfers violate the Sherman Act (as they illegally affect both the “input” and “output” markets)”.

It is still not clear why Nichols decided to transfer so late in the offseason, but his contentious departure could be a signal of a deteriorating relationship with the program’s leadership. So Nichols then actually retained a lawyer to be able to transfer to any school he wants.

Tuesday’s announcement could open the door for Nichols to join the Cavaliers – with ESPN.com saying Virginia “is high atop Nichols’ list of suitors” and CBSSports.com reporting that UVa “should be considered the leader.”

Paul Tudor Jones is a billionaire from Memphis who graduated from Virginia and has a relationship with Nichols’ former AAU coach, Ernie Kuyper. Nichols was on the verge of stardom during his sophomore season in the American, and has the ability to be an All-ACC performer after he sits out his transfer year.