Austin Nichols: Latest Transfer News, Rumors and Speculation on Former Memphis F

Former Memphis Tigers forward Austin Nichols was granted his unconditional release from the program Tuesday, according to ESPN.com, and big-name programs from across the country are reaching out in an effort to obtain his transfer. 

Continue for updates. 

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Kentucky Checks in With Nichols

Tuesday, July 14

According to 92.9 ESPN's John Martin, the University of Kentucky is one of several schools that has expressed interest in Nichols: 

With two years of eligibility remaining, the 6'9" forward will have suitors galore.

"Virginia is high atop Nichols' list of suitors because of a connection between Nichols' former summer coach, Ernie Kuyper, and the family of John Paul Jones -- whom Virginia's arena is named after," ESPN.com wrote.

During his sophomore season with the Tigers, Nichols averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field.

He had been locked in a standoff with the school regarding his ability to transfer, and the program finally relented Tuesday.

"Memphis has reviewed the appeal submitted by Austin Nichols, and has agreed to remove all conditions from his release," the school said in a statement, according to CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish. 

Previously, the school had stood by its stance to prevent Nichols from transferring "to an American Athletic Conference school, to any future opponent or to Tennessee, Virginia, Providence or Iowa," per Parrish. 

With those restrictions now lifted, the race is on to see who can snag the former 5-star recruit.