Retirements are painful. But anything more horrendous than retirement is not getting a chance to play your favorite sport. Sports Journalist John Fanta spilled the beans regarding this complex, citing the Memphis Tiger’s power forward DeAndre Williams’ return to the NCAA.

The 27-year-old had sought another year of eligibility for the Tigers but what came afterwards disappointed every Tiger fan. Fanta revealed information regarding the same through his official account.

What did Fanta say?

Fanta shared news regarding DeAndre Williams’ return to the NCAA league this season: “News: The NCAA has denied Memphis star DeAndre Williams’ waiver for another season of eligibility. The 27-year-old Williams averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game last season.”

DeAndre Williams had initially enrolled with the Evansville in the 2018-19 season which had cost him his first year of competition. However, he continued with them for the next annual period before seeking a transfer to the Memphis Tigers. He plied his trade as a power forward for the Penny Hardaway coached team, helping them clinch the silverware at the 2021 National Invitation Tournament. Overall, Williams averaged a 14.1 points for the Tigers with 6.8 rebounds per game and 2.7 assists per contest.

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The college had initially appealed to the NCAA to consider the ineligibility ruling in July and allow the NIT champion to participate for another year. The NCAA on the other hand denied Williams request citing the rule that “neither an NCAA certified summer coach, a high school teacher nor a high school coach is authorized to provide initial eligibility advice to a prospective student-athlete,” as per sports attorney Don Jackson statement to Commerical Appeal.

The 27-year-old was already the oldest player in the Division 1 league last year. Previously Caitlin Clark had also been eligible due to COVID waiver.

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“Time to Move on”

As per reports, Williams had already expected his previous season to be the last after the Memphis Tigers’ shocking exit. However, it was his coach who gave him hope for considering another season. Fans looked confused and were quick to express their opinions. 

Meanwhile, without Williams, Memphis will only have two of their former players to return to the rooster namely – Jayden Hardaway and Malcolm Dandridge. The Tigers will open their season against the Jackson State on November 7.

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It is a saddening state for Memphis to be deprived of one of their best players but at the same time an opportunity for younger players to cement their position in the team.