As reports circulated about his potential departure following teammate PJ Haggerty’s entry into the transfer portal, Dainja quickly shut down the conversation with a clear message to Tiger Nation.
The senior big man, who averaged 15.0 points and 7.7 rebounds this season, took to X to dispel the rumors.
Eligibility Questions Remain Central to Dainja’s Future
“Not going anywhere. No decisions have been made,” Dainja posted — directly contradicting reports from multiple outlets that had confirmed his entry into the transfer portal just hours earlier.
Not going anywhere. No decisions have been made.
— Dain Dainja (@DDainja) April 17, 2025
While Dainja’s statement clarifies his current intentions, questions about his eligibility for another collegiate season remain unresolved. The former Baylor and Illinois player is pursuing an NCAA waiver to extend his college career, with no guarantee of approval despite his limited playing time during his freshman year at Baylor.
Dainja’s journey through college basketball has been marked by steady improvement, culminating in his emergence as one of the country’s premier big men during Memphis’ impressive late-season run. After early consistency issues, he established himself as a dominant post presence and earned unanimous first-team all-conference honors.
Memphis Roster Rebuild Continues Amid Portal Movement
Dainja’s commitment to staying comes as critical news for Coach Penny Hardaway, who is navigating significant roster turnover. The potential loss of consensus All-America guard PJ Haggerty, who averaged 21.8 points per game, has already sent shockwaves through the program following its best season in over a decade.
Only guard Dante Harris and redshirt forward Bouna Kebe remain from last season’s roster without entering the transfer portal. Hardaway has moved quickly to rebuild, securing April commitments from transfers Quante Berry, Julius “King” Thedford, Ashton Hardaway and Zachary Davis, while hosting visits from high-profile targets.
Dainja’s production would be difficult to replace if he were to depart. His interior presence was instrumental to Memphis’ success — particularly down the stretch — when he emerged as one of the nation’s most efficient post scorers and a reliable defensive anchor in conference play.
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As Memphis fans anxiously await official word on Dainja’s eligibility status, his clear statement provides temporary relief in an offseason filled with uncertainty. The NCAA’s decision could ultimately determine whether the Tigers return one of their most valuable pieces from last year’s successful campaign.
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