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Robert Austin Nichols (born September 20, 1994) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis and the University of Virginia. Nichols was named AAC Freshman of the Year in 2012-2013 and was selected to the All-AAC First Team the following year. He also set multiple career highs during his time with the Memphis Tigers, including 28 points against Tulane and 13 rebounds against Oklahoma State. However, Nichols' time with the Tigers was not without controversy, as he transferred to Virginia in the middle of the summer of 2015 and was later dismissed from the team in November 2016.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Austin Nichols |
| Date of Birth | September 20, 1994 |
| Height | 6 feet 7 inches (2.03 metres) |
| Position | Power Forward |
| College Basketball Teams | University of Memphis, University of Virginia |
| High School | Briarcrest Christian School, Eads, Tennessee; McCallum High School, Austin |
| Notable Achievements | AAC Rookie of the Year (2012-2013); All-AAC First Team (2014-2015); National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 25 First Team; AAC Player of the Week (Feb. 23-March 1, 2015) |
| Career Highlights | Led Briarcrest Christian School to a 24-6 record and Division 2AA West Region championship; Led the Tigers in scoring during his sophomore year (13.3 PPG); Set career-high in points (28) against Tulane on January 3, 2015; Set career-high in rebounds (13) against Oklahoma State on December 13, 2014; Tied career-high in steals (3) against Rio Grande Valley on November 21, 2017; Set career-high in blocks (8) against Oral Roberts on December 20, 2014 |
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What You'll Learn
- Austin Nichols' career in basketball began at Briarcrest Christian School
- He was named AAC Freshman of the Year in 2012-2013
- Nichols was dismissed from the University of Memphis basketball team in 2016
- He then transferred to the University of Virginia
- Nichols was dismissed from Virginia and attempted to restart his career with the Memphis Hustle
Austin Nichols' career in basketball began at Briarcrest Christian School
In his senior year, Nichols averaged 22.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocked shots, leading his team to the state championship game. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Tennessee and, on November 5, 2012, committed to playing college basketball for the University of Memphis. Nichols received offers from several other prestigious basketball programs, including Duke, Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee.
Nichols started all 34 games during his freshman year at Memphis, becoming the first Memphis freshman to do so since Darius Washington, Jr. in 2004-05. He averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocked shots, shooting an impressive 58.9% from the floor. Nichols was named American Athletic Conference (AAC) Rookie of the Year and selected as the AAC Rookie of the Week four times throughout the season.
During his sophomore year, Nichols' performance was limited to 27 games due to ankle injuries. Despite this setback, he led the Tigers in scoring (13.3 PPG), was second in rebounds (6.1 RPG), and third in the country in blocked shots (3.4 BPG). At the end of the season, he earned a spot on the All-AAC First Team.
Nichols' impressive college basketball career at the University of Memphis and his outstanding high school performance at Briarcrest Christian School established him as a promising young player in the sport.
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He was named AAC Freshman of the Year in 2012-2013
Austin Nichols, born on September 20, 1994, in Collierville, Tennessee, is an American former professional basketball player. Standing at six feet seven inches tall, he played as a power forward.
Nichols' impressive basketball career began at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tennessee, where he was a four-time letter winner and played a crucial role in leading his team to the state championship game. His senior season saw him excel with 22.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocked shots per game, earning him the title of Gatorade Player of the Year for Tennessee.
On November 5, 2012, Nichols committed to the University of Memphis, starting in all 34 games during his freshman year—a remarkable feat not achieved by a Memphis freshman since Darius Washington, Jr. in the 2004-05 season. Nichols' talent and hard work paid off, and he was named the American Athletic Conference AAC Freshman of the Year for the 2012-2013 season. This prestigious recognition highlighted his outstanding performance and potential during his first year of college basketball.
Following his stellar freshman season, Nichols continued to shine on the court. During his sophomore year, despite being limited to 27 games due to ankle injuries, he demonstrated his resilience and impact by leading the Tigers in scoring with 13.3 points per game. He also ranked second on the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game and third in the country in blocked shots with an impressive 3.4 per game. Nichols' performance during his sophomore campaign solidified his place as a key contributor to the team and a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Nichols' talent and dedication earned him numerous accolades throughout his college basketball career. He was named to the All-AAC First Team, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 25 First Team, and was selected as the AAC Player of the Week and AAC Weekly Honor Roll multiple times. Nichols' impact extended beyond his college career, as he went on to play for the Memphis Hustle in the G-League, showcasing his enduring passion and talent for the sport.
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Nichols was dismissed from the University of Memphis basketball team in 2016
Robert Austin Nichols, born on September 20, 1994, is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis and the University of Virginia.
Nichols was dismissed from the University of Memphis basketball team on November 18, 2016. Before that, during the 2014-15 season, Nichols played in 27 games, including 26 starts. He led the team in scoring (13.3 ppg), blocked shots (3.4 bpg), and minutes (29.5 mpg). Nichols was also ranked second on the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and field goal percentage (49.7).
Nichols had a successful start to his college basketball career at the University of Memphis. During his freshman year, he started in all 34 of the Tigers' games, becoming the first Memphis freshman to do so since Darius Washington, Jr. in the 2004-05 season. Nichols was named the AAC Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. In his sophomore year, despite several ankle injuries, he once again led the Tigers in scoring (13.3 PPG) and was second in rebounds (6.1 RPG).
However, things began to change for Nichols during his time at Memphis. The Memphis basketball program started to regress, and several players left the team. In mid-July 2015, Nichols announced his decision to transfer to another college, which did not sit well with the Memphis staff. They initially refused to grant him a release from his scholarship and placed conditions on his transfer, restricting him from transferring to specific schools. This created tension between Nichols and the University of Memphis.
Ultimately, Nichols transferred to the University of Virginia, but his time there was short-lived. He was dismissed from the Virginia basketball team for what he later referred to as "self-medicating." Reflecting on his departure from Memphis, Nichols expressed regret for the way he handled the situation, acknowledging that the timing of his transfer put the coach in a difficult position.
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He then transferred to the University of Virginia
In the summer of 2015, Austin Nichols announced his transfer from the University of Memphis to the University of Virginia. Nichols had been a highly-rated high school player and had a successful freshman year at Memphis, being named AAC Freshman of the Year in 2012-2013. The following season, he was named to the All-AAC First Team. However, the Memphis basketball program was struggling, and Nichols decided to transfer.
The University of Memphis staff felt betrayed by Nichols' decision and initially refused to grant him a release. They eventually granted him a conditional release, with restrictions on which schools he could transfer to. Despite these challenges, Nichols transferred to the University of Virginia in the summer of 2015.
Nichols' time at Virginia was short-lived, as he was dismissed from the team on November 18, 2016, for what he later referred to as "self-medicating." Nichols has expressed regret for the way he left both Memphis and Virginia, acknowledging that he could have handled the situation better.
After his departure from Virginia, Nichols returned to Memphis and attempted to restart his basketball career with the Memphis Grizzlies' new G-League team, the Memphis Hustle. He set his career-high in steals in a G-League game on November 21, 2017, recording 3 steals in a road loss to Rio Grande Vall. On January 3, 2015, while still playing for the University of Memphis, Nichols set his career-high in points in an NCAA game, scoring 28 points against Tulane.
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Nichols was dismissed from Virginia and attempted to restart his career with the Memphis Hustle
In 2015, Austin Nichols was a college basketball player at the University of Virginia. He had transferred to Virginia from the University of Memphis, where he had played for two seasons. However, Nichols' time at Virginia was short-lived as he was dismissed from the team on November 18, 2016.
Nichols' departure from Memphis was acrimonious. After a successful freshman year, in which he was named AAC Freshman of the Year, and a solid sophomore season, Nichols requested to be released from his scholarship. The Memphis staff initially refused but eventually granted him a conditional release. Nichols then announced he was transferring to Virginia in the middle of the summer of 2015. This put the Memphis staff and head coach Josh Pastner in a difficult position, and they felt betrayed by Nichols' decision.
At Virginia, Nichols struggled both on and off the court. He played in only one game during the 2016-17 season before being dismissed from the team. Nichols admitted that he lost his sense of self at Virginia, where he felt pressured to perform and live up to the expectations of being an All-American player. He also acknowledged that he was more interested in the fame and lifestyle associated with basketball stardom than in putting in the work required to succeed.
Following his dismissal from Virginia, Nichols returned to Memphis and attempted to restart his basketball career with the Memphis Hustle, the Memphis Grizzlies' new G-League team. Nichols expressed regret for the way he handled his departure from Memphis and wished he could have done things differently. He acknowledged that he had made mistakes and that the timing of his transfer had put people in an impossible situation. Despite the challenges he faced, Nichols was grateful to be back in Memphis and determined to reshape his future in professional basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Nichols played basketball in high school and college. He played for the University of Memphis Tigers and the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He intended to become a professional water skier but had to give up the sport after injuring his shoulder.
Nichols is a power forward.
Nichols was named AAC Freshman of the Year in 2012-2013 and was selected for the All-AAC First Team the following year. He led the Tigers in scoring (13.3 PPG) and was second in rebounds (6.1 RPG) during his sophomore year. He also set a career-high in points (28) and efficiency (34) in a game against Tulane on January 3, 2015.
Nichols transferred from Memphis to the University of Virginia in the summer of 2015. He has expressed regret over the way he left, stating that he should have communicated more directly with the staff and that the timing of his transfer was "horrible."
