What Nae'Qwan Tomlin means for Memphis basketball and when he will be eligible

Memphis basketball was already a good team having a good season.

Now, after the Tigers (7-2 and ranked 40th in the most recent NET standings) reeled in a major midseason score in Kansas State transfer big Nae'Qwan Tomlin, the outlook for the rest of 2023-24 brightens significantly.

Tomlin committed to Memphis late Monday, The Commercial Appeal reported early Tuesday morning. The New York native instantly provides the Tigers with a boost in a couple of areas of need − rebounding and rim protection.

Let's break down exactly what Tomlin's addition means for Memphis and address some frequently asked questions.

When will Nae'Qwan Tomlin be eligible?

Well, it's a bit complicated.

First, some background. Tomlin began the season at Kansas State, but he did not play in a game for the Wildcats. That's because, following an October arrest for disorderly conduct after he was involved in a fight at a Kansas bar, the program suspended Tomlin indefinitely.

Then, last week, K-State president Richard Linton made the (apparently very unpopular) decision to officially cut ties with Tomlin.

"The NCAA Board of Governors has required each member institution to adopt a 'serious misconduct policy' covering a number of potential allegations, including Title IX," Linton wrote last week. "Under the university’s serious misconduct policy, the university president is involved in collaboration with the athletic director and head coach when making a final decision concerning a student-athlete’s conduct and team membership.

"The reporting that this decision was made solely due to an incident at a bar in Aggieville is not accurate."

In spite of recent events and developments, Tomlin has officially graduated from Kansas State. That, coupled with the fact that he has not played in a game this season, means he will be eligible to play at Memphis as soon as he is formally admitted by the university.

It is unknown at present exactly how long that process might take. Essentially, it could be days or it could be weeks. Until the red tape gets ironed out, Tomlin will also have to wait before he can officially start practicing with the team.

The Tigers' next game is against Clemson on Saturday (2 p.m., ESPN+) at FedExForum.

How much eligibility does Nae'Qwan Tomlin have left?

This season is all that's left for Tomlin.

He began his career at Monroe (N.Y.) Community College, where he averaged 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. Then, he spent two seasons at Chipola (Fla.) College, averaging 11.0 points and 4.6 rebounds his first season there and 13.8 points and 5.9 rebounds his second.

Tomlin spent last season at K-State, putting up 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, and helping lead the Wildcats on an Elite Eight run.

What Nae'Qwan Tomlin does for Memphis basketball

The Tigers' frontcourt played well last week in road wins over VCU and Texas A&M, with Malcolm Dandridge and Nicholas Jourdain holding down the fort.

Dandridge and Jourdain also played well before that as starting center Jordan Brown struggled with production and foul trouble. Obviously, there are questions surrounding Brown's future with the program. He has missed back-to-back games. Hardaway, as recently as Sunday evening, maintains Brown is "still sick, as far as I know." But there have been whispers that Brown's Memphis career may be over after just seven games.

Enter Tomlin. An uber-athletic, ultra-talented rim runner, if nothing else, he gives the Tigers a spark around the basket that they've been largely missing this season. His ability to make big plays often commands double-teams, which should help make life easier for everyone else on the floor.

Tomlin's motor and energy might bring back memories of DeAndre Williams for Tigers fans. His offensive rebounding percentage at Kansas State last season (10.1%) ranked 212th among all Division I players. For reference, Williams' offensive rebounding percentage at Memphis last season (9.5%) was 265th among all Division I players.

Tomlin's ability to protect the rim gives Memphis (already ranked 33rd in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency) another weapon to shut down opposing teams. His block percentage last season (4.0%) ranked 230th in the nation.

He shot 73.8% from the free throw line at K-State and 50% from the field. Tomlin shot 27.5% from the 3-point line.

NAE'QWAN TOMLIN: Former K-State star commits to Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway as midseason transfer

Tomlin also played well last season without getting into foul trouble all that often. He fouled out just three times in 36 games.

What Nae'Qwan Tomlin did vs. AAC teams last season

Tomlin won't quite be a complete stranger to the AAC.

Last season, he played against two teams that he will see once Memphis begins conference play.

Against Wichita State (in just his eighth Division I game), Tomlin scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds, put up two blocks and had two steals in 33 minutes.

Then, in the NCAA Tournament, Tomlin faced FAU. In 34 minutes, he scored 14 points, had six rebounds, came away with two steals and had one block.

In those two games, he was 11-of-23 from the field (and 3-for-6 on 3-pointers).

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Nae'Qwan Tomlin means for Memphis basketball