Coach Pastner Talks on Tigers Loss of Pierre Henderson-Niles

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Right in the thick of their conference race, an already thin Memphis Tigers roster got even lighter Monday night after the dismissal of Pierre Henderson-Niles.

The news of Henderson-Niles leaving is a big hit to the Memphis Tigers' line-up as they have just 8 games to play in the regular season. After his departure, the question everyone in the city wants answered, is why?

After three years as one of John Calipari's whipping boys, Pierre Henderson-Niles was finally getting his shot. He had played in all 23 games so far this season, including 16 starts. The Ridgeway High product was averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds per game.

His time in the spotlight was short-lived though, after Tigers Head Coach Josh Pastner announced late Monday night, Henderson-Niles was no longer a member of the team.

Pastner addressed the media Tuesday afternoon about Henderson-Niles' dismissal.

"It's nothing against the law. He didn't do anything derogatory or disrespectful. It was just he is going in one direction and we're going another."

Pastner would not pinpoint any one reason that lead to Henderson-Niles' departure. However, he did say this wasn't the first time they had met about the direction the team is moving in.

"He and I have had many talks throughout the season. He knew. Again, it's just one of those things where for whatever reason, he saw things in a different way than I saw things-and I'm the head coach and what I saw, I feel is best for this team, university and program."

Pastner did praise Henderson-Niles for his dedication to weight loss as he dropped more than 60 pounds before the start of this season and said that Henderson-Niles will still have the academic support he needs.

"For Pierre, he's done a lot of good. He's on track to graduate in May. He worked his rear end off."

Pastner went on to say, "Once a Tiger always a Tiger. We're going to do everything we can do to help him graduate this May."

We did reach Pierre Henderson-Niles on his cell phone, but he declined an interview.

Coach Pastner says that Will Coleman will get the start in Henderson-Niles' place Wednesday night when the Tigers play UCF.

He also says that the door is closed for Henderson-Niles' return to the team.