Memphis coach Josh Pastner announced last week that Vanderbilt transfer Kedren Johnson will be eligible to suit up for the Tigers this season.
After leading the Commodores in scoring in 2012-13, Johnson was suspended from Vanderbilt for what CBS Sports reported as a “student” issue and not a basketball one. Johnson himself was quoted as saying he had used “some very poor judgement” that resulted in his time away from the team.
However, after serving his yearlong suspension, Johnson was given a cold shoulder by Vandy coach Kevin Stallings, who did not ask him back. According to sources, Stallings felt that Johnson did not live up to a “high level of responsibility” placed upon him by the university
Memphis became Johnson’s destination in August, and soon after, Pastner applied for an NCAA waiver to allow Johnson immediate access to the Tigers.
This is a win-win situation for both Johnson and the Tigers program. The 6-4 point guard gets to play as soon as he is playing shape, and, as a team with no returning ballhandlers with college experience, Memphis gets a steady point guard who can contribute immediately. During his last year with the Commodores, Johnson scored 13.5 points and dished out 3.6 assists per game.
Pastner told CBS Sports days ago that Johnson has impressed him in preseason team activities and now fully expects him to be ready for the Tigers’ season opener on November 14 against Wichita State. That game will be played in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.