Former Serbian Basketball League MVP Nemanja Popović has officially joined the Memphis Tigers, bringing a seasoned power‑forward presence to the program ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign.
A Strategic Addition
At 24, Popović arrives after two years in Poland where he averaged 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds for King Wilki Morskie Szczecin, a stint that earned him All‑PLK honors and highlighted his ability to stretch the floor and control the boards.
His MVP season with KK Vršac in 2024‑25 saw him post 18.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, underscoring a trajectory that caught the eye of Memphis scouts and linked him to former Tigers Malcolm Dandridge and guard Jeremy Roach, who shared the court in the Adriatic Basketball Association.
Popović will slot into a frontcourt that already includes transfers Corneilous Williams and Maxim Logue, freshman Fred Smith Jr., and returning forward William Whorton, forming a deep and versatile interior.
Coach Penny Hardaway, who initially earmarked the final roster spot for a “very sweet deal,” indicated that the team’s depth may evolve, but the current 15‑player roster is now complete.
The Tigers open their season on November 2 against Iowa State at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a venue that will test the new lineup early in the schedule.
Fourteen of the fifteen players have already reported for the offseason program, signaling a strong start to preparations and a competitive atmosphere as the squad fine‑tunes its chemistry.
With a blend of international experience and proven production, Popović is expected to contribute immediately, adding scoring punch and rebounding stability as Memphis aims to climb the conference standings.