Redshirt Freshman from Memphis plans to transfer

After assistant coach Jason Gardner took the head coaching job at IUPUI, what else could possibly happen early in the off season to the Memphis Tigers Basketball team? Coach Josh Pastner expected all of his guys to be back next season along with 2014 recruits, but now that’s not the case.

Pastner will head into next season without one of his 2013 signees in Pookie Powell. Powell, 6-1 point guard, has plans of transferring to another school after an disagreement with coach Pastner. Powell’s father was the one who broke the news to the media.

Pastner and his coaching staff was not available for comment on Powell’s decision to transfer.

With Powell leaving the team, Memphis will have to turn to redshirt freshman Markel Crawford or incoming freshman Dominic Magee, 6-3, 180-pound point guard from Helen Cox High School in Harvey, La. Incoming junior college player Avery Woodson, 6-3, 195-pound shooting guard from East Mississippi Community College is another player who is going to compete for the point guard position in the Tigers’ starting five.

With the seniors leaving, Powell was in position to compete for the starting spot at point guard. Powell didn’t play or practice with the team this past season after failing to qualify academically with the NCAA last summer.

As a senior at Dr. Phillips High School, Powell (6-1, 177 lbs.) averaged 28 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals.  Rivals.com ranked Powell as the No. 95 overall prospect and the No. 20 point guard among the other guards in the 2013 class.

Breaking News: Pookie’s father and the family are going to talk Powell’s decision over and make a final decision on Thursday. Also, assistant coach Robert Kirby took a plane to Orlando to talk with Powell’s family.