Nemanja Popović was officially cleared for two seasons of collegiate eligibility, but the NCAA has mandated the 24-year-old Memphis basketball center must sit out the first six games, the school announced Oct. 26.
The Tigers will appeal the "withholding period," according to a press release. If the NCAA's ruling is upheld, the first game Popović will be eligible to play in would be on Nov. 27, against either Mississippi State or Wake Forest at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Popović has been enrolled at the University of Memphis since June and began participating in team workouts on July 6, when the summer's second session began. He has participated in the Tigers' first two preseason games. Most recently, he had 12 points, four rebounds
and three steals in a 75-58 win over Mississippi State on Oct. 23.
It is unclear whether he will play in Memphis' final exhibition game at Arkansas on Oct. 28 (7 p.m., ESPN+).
In July, Tigers coach Penny Hardaway addressed Popović's addition to the team.
“It’s a blessing because he’s experienced,” said Hardaway. “He’s older. He’s not afraid. He’s very aggressive. He knows how to play the game. It’s great to have 'Pop' here.”
The 24-year-old Popović (who will turn 25 in December) most recently played for King Wilki Morskie Szczecin (the King Szczecin Sea Wolves) of the Polish Basketball League (PLK) and averaged 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 31 games, earning All-PLK honors in the process. The season before, playing for KK Vršac in his native Serbia, Popović averaged 18.2 points and 7.4 rebounds en route to being named the league's MVP.
King Wilki Morskie Szczecin coach Maciej Majcherek provided an overview of Popović's game to The Commercial Appeal.
"Very talented. Very mobile, especially for position 5. He was the best center in the league this last season," Majcherek said in June. "Has really good low post. Can finish right, left hand. What I like, I like he’s so mobile. He can dribble. He can get a rebound and go coast-to-coast. He is really physical and really skilled in the low post. Has long wing span."
Memphis opens the season against Iowa State on Nov. 2 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Nemanja Popović declared eligible, but Memphis basketball center must sit out 6 games
