The NCAA has announced that Memphis forward Dain Dainja will not be eligible to return next season, as he has already played for five seasons across three different schools. The Memphis Tigers star was a crucial part of the team’s AAC title run in 2025.
The forward requested the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility but was denied. Having been an All-AAC big man, Dainja’s defensive threat was a boon for head coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers squad.
BREAKING: Dain Dainja’s Waiver Denied
The NCAA has officially denied Memphis forward Dain Dainja’s request for an additional year of eligibility.This is a tough blow for the Tigers’ frontcourt, as Dainja was a key part of last year’s AAC title run and a potential anchor in… pic.twitter.com/s55GC3ivVS
— Sports View 360 (@sportsview360) June 26, 2025
The NCAA’s decision is a big blow to Memphis. The Tigers are facing a lot of questions regarding roster depth after losing several key players, including Dain Dainja, during the offseason.
Penny Hardaway Talks About Dain Dainja After NCAA’s Ruling on His Eligibility
Head coach Penny Hardaway, a former NBA All-Star who helped Shaquille O’Neal reach his first NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic, has spoken about Dain Dainja and weighed in on how big a blow it would be for the Memphis Tigers to lose him.
“I’m really proud of Dain and how he handled everything during his time with us,” Hardaway told The Commercial Appeal. “He gave us great energy every single day and embraced our program and culture from day one. We’re obviously disappointed with the NCAA’s decision because we know what this opportunity meant to him, but that doesn’t take away from the impact he had here. Dain’s future is incredibly bright.”
“I just want to thank him for everything he gave to our program — his time, his energy, and his belief in what we’re building here. I also want to thank our compliance office and university administration. They put in countless hours navigating this complex process and worked tirelessly on Dain’s behalf,” he added.
“We’re going to keep supporting Dain however we can, and I know he’s going to be successful wherever life takes him next. He’ll always have a place in our Memphis family,” he said.
Dainja played as a senior for Memphis in his fifth year, averaging 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He started his collegiate career with Baylor before transferring to Illinois. However, it was under Penny Hardaway that he truly shone, developing into one of the best power forwards in the AAC.
Related: Basketball Analyst Rips Memphis as ‘Biggest Loser’ of Portal Season After PJ Haggerty Exit
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