Memphis forward Tyreek Smith enters the NCAA Transfer Portal

Memphis forward Tyreek Smith has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Smith transferred to Memphis this offseason from SMU. However, on Oct. 20, Smith informed head coach Penny Hardaway that he would be stepping away from the team.

Following Smith’s decision, his representative with Young Money Sports alleged that Memphis had not paid the transfer forward in the four months that he’d been with the team and had broken other promises to Smith.

Alas, CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish later reported that Memphis had paid Tyreek Smith $175,000, which is reportedly equivalent to a third of what he’d initially agreed to. If this is true, Memphis would not be behind on payments whatsoever.

Whatever the reality is behind the scenes, it’s obvious that Smith won’t be suiting up for the Tigers this season. This is the fourth time that Smith has entered the transfer portal while in college.

The 6-foot-6 Baton Rouge native began his collegiate career at Texas Tech, where he spent two years, including a medical redshirt season. He then transferred to Oklahoma State, where he collected 66 appearances and 16 starts.

After two seasons with the Cowboys, Smith transferred to SMU ahead of the 2023-24 season. In his lone campaign with the Mustangs, Smith made 33 appearances and 13 starts, averaging 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 58.4% from the field.

After transferring to Memphis this offseason, Smith was in contention to be the Tigers’ starting power forward. Nonetheless, he won’t be now as he searches for a new home.

On Monday, Memphis will kick off its season at 8 p.m. ET as it squares off against the Missouri Tigers inside the FedEx Forum. The game will air live on ESPN+.