With a nod to initial tweets from CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish and FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman, it seems that Pierre Henderson-Niles is no longer on the Memphis basketball team. Having made appearances in all 23 games for the Tigers this season, Henderson-Niles was averaging a modest 5.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG in his usual 18 minutes. A statement from head coach Josh Pastner lauded Henderson-Niles’ getting “in shape to play this season,” as well as how hard he worked in the classroom to get his grades right, but no specific reason was given for his departure.
(credit: BIAH)
Pastner’s reference to Henderson-Niles’ “getting in shape” comes from the fact that Pierre walked onto the Memphis campus tipping the scales at well over three hunge and had worked hard to get himself down below the 270 mark at the end of last season. Depending on whom you consult, these days he’s clocking in anywhere between 278 and 300, but a loss of around 50 pounds deserves props. More on this to come (check Tuesday’s Morning 5), but whatever the reasons for Pierre’s leaving, we hope he continues on his healthy road. We’re not scheduling any GQ spreads for ourselves these days, but even at 6’8 and only 22 years old, carrying 300 the way he carries it can’t be good for the guy. Au revoir, Pierre.