Memphis basketball loses Earl Timberlake to the transfer portal

Another Memphis basketball player entered the transfer portal Tuesday, bringing the day's total to three.

Sophomore guard Earl Timberlake is leaving after just one season, joining freshmen John Camden and Sam Onu in the portal. Timberlake's uncle, Edward Meeks, confirmed Timberlake's move to The Commercial Appeal.

"Just didn't work out," Meeks said via text message.

Last week, freshman Josh Minott declared for the NBA Draft and made it known he would not be returning to Memphis should he decide to play another year of college basketball.

Timberlake transferred to Memphis after playing only seven games at Miami as a freshman in 2020-21. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder played in 29 games (11 starts) but struggled with injury issues throughout the season. Since Timberlake has already used his one-time transfer waiver, he will have to sit next season out unless he is granted another waiver by the NCAA.

Timberlake, a four-star prospect out of high school, was a projected first-round NBA Draft pick by multiple media outlets before the season began. But he averaged just 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds a game for the Tigers, which reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 earlier this month.

JOSH MINOTT: Tigers' freshman has no plans to return to Memphis, will test NBA Draft

JOHN CAMDEN: Memphis basketball freshman John Camden enters the transfer portal

SAM ONU: Memphis basketball redshirt center Sam Onu enters transfer portal

Timberlake, who had significant injury issues that cost him most of his freshman season at Miami, required neck surgery before the 2021-22 season ever began, and that left him playing catch-up with much of the rest of the roster. He also missed the team's win over Alabama with a knee injury and also sat out multiple AAC games due to concussion protocols.

Last week, Memphis, which has been facing an NCAA infractions case since November 2019, made public documents that reveal some of what the school is up against. The university is facing seven total violations, including four Level I and two Level II. The school is either denying the allegations altogether or arguing the violations do not merit Level I designation.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball loses Earl Timberlake to transfer portal