Sports

College Basketball Agent Torches Memphis Over Failed NIL Promises After Top Transfer Threatens To Leave

by Last Updated
Tyreek Smith NIL Memphis Basketball
Getty Image / iStockphoto

Tyreek Smith, who transferred to Memphis in May, might or might not play for the Tigers during the 2024-25 college basketball season. His status is currently up in the air as people behind the scenes sort out some concerns about NIL payments and promises.

The fifth-year senior forward’s representation made sure to clear Penny Hardaway’s name while torching the university’s official Name, Image and Likeness collective.

Smith, a former three-star recruit, played one year at Texas Tech, two years at Oklahoma State and one year at SMU. This upcoming season will exhaust his final year of college basketball eligibility at his fourth different school, barring unforeseen circumstances.

According to Bluff City Media (not connected to the collective), Smith is disgruntled over his role with the program during a charity exhibition game against North Carolina last week when he did not crack the starting lineup. NIL compensation also plays a big role in the frustration, even though Bluff City Media reported that he has “received his payments on time via FedEx since arriving on campus this summer.”

Smith’s representation offered some clarity on the situation with a post to X on Monday afternoon. He set the record straight on a few different things.

First and foremost, Smith is not leaving the Memphis basketball program because he expected to be a starter. His agent made it very clear that his client is not running from competition or adversity.

Naw he not scared of competition. But since you got so much to say, go help em raise some money for their collective to pay their debts

— @Hboog32 on X

Smith’s mother said the same. She added that he is not going anywhere, despite what has been reported about his departure.

Boogie, as the agent is known, is the head of Young Money APAA Sports. Smith supposedly lived at his house on and off since the age of 14.

Does Memphis have an NIL problem?

According to Boogie, there are “a whole lot of broken promises in Memphis.” He claims the contract Smith signed with the university, through its collective, is being ignored because “you can’t get paid when there’s nothing to pay you from.”

Smith is not going to work for free so he and Boogie are standing on business.

Payments were allegedly supposed to begin when his client reported to campus in June.

This has been a long time coming.

We know why we waited, and what conversations we had, and who we had them with. We didn’t bail at the first sign of trouble. We were more than fair, and gave time for these parties to get whatever figured out that they said was getting figured out.

— @Hboog32 on X

Penny Hardaway was not the one to promise Smith any amount of money.

We cool, but don’t push no buttons this way. Yall mfs crazy if you think I don’t have black & white in hand. I’m sparing, & not taking it there on the strength of Coach Penny. Bkuz he cleaning up a mess that he didn’t make. But let Reek be, bkuz I’ll go to the end to protect him

— @Hboog23 on X

All of the conversations regarding compensation, including the signed contract, were handled through the Bluff City Collective.

Memphis’ head coach never spoke with Boogie about NIL prior to Monday. They hopped on the phone to get things sorted out.

This coincides with other reports regarding this unusual situation. Even though Tyreek Smith was not at practice on Monday, Memphis basketball analyst Hitmen Hoops says “both sides are actively working out a solution to several misunderstandings.”

The Tigers are working things out behind the scenes to ensure that their transfer forward does not leave the team with just two weeks until the start of the regular season. However, this sequence of events is extremely similar to something that happened with the basketball team last year.

Center Jordan Brown stepped away from the program on Dec. 8. He did not return to the court until Jan. 20, after his concerns had been resolved. This apparently continues to be a problem.

Memphis seems to have some serious backend issues regarding its Name, Image and Likeness operation. Even if it does get Tyreek Smith to stay, this is not a good look for the college basketball program, the Bluff City Collective or the university.