Memphis forward Jaykwon Walton plans to enter transfer portal

Jaykwon Walton’s collegiate career apparently isn’t over after all.

But he won’t return to Memphis next season, regardless. Sources confirm to Bluff City Media that the 6-foot-7 forward plans to enter the transfer portal, as first reported by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. He enters next season with one year of eligibility remaining thanks to his 2020-21 campaign at Georgia being deemed a void year.

Walton’s lone season as a Tiger was a massive disappointment in nearly all facets, even though he started in 28 games. He averaged just 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from the field and 28.7% from 3-point range this year, which is a massive downgrade from his 13.9 point and 5.5 rebound averages at Wichita State in 2022-23. Walton also shot 40% from the perimeter in his only campaign as a Shocker.

The 23-year-old, who joined the Tigers last July, was one of many late arrivals for Penny Hardaway’s club. He originally signed with Alabama last spring, but the Crimson Tide revoked his scholarship offer after he was arrested for possession of marijuana in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He later committed to UCF in May 2023, but flipped to Memphis two months later after Teafale Lenard defected to the NBA G-League.

Walton showed flashes of his potential at times this year with a 19-point showing against Jackson State on Nov. 6 and a 23-point performance at Wichita State on Jan. 14. But issues both on and off the court made him an afterthought by season’s end. He scored just 5 points on 2-for-9 shooting during the Tigers’ 71-65 loss to Wichita State in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament on March 14.

Walton is the fifth Tiger to leave the program via the transfer portal. The other four are Jonathan Pierre, Jayhlon Young, Carl Cherenfant and Ashton Hardaway. Memphis is also expected to lose Jahvon Quinerly, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Caleb Mills, Jordan Brown, Jayden Hardaway and Malcolm Dandridge due to expired eligibility, so Penny Hardaway must replace at least eight players this offseason with transfers PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja onboard for next year.

Forward Nick Jourdain, a rising senior, publicly announced his return to Memphis back in February. But sources have indicated that he’s still deciding his plans for next year. The Tigers can also bring back David Jones, Joe Cooper and Noah Stansbury. Four-star guard Jared Harris is the program’s only incoming high school recruit as of now.