Curtis Givens III, leaving Memphis basketball after one season, will transfer to Ohio State, he announced on Instagram on April 23.
The 6-foot-3 combo guard has two seasons of eligibility remaining. The Memphis native came to the Tigers after spending his freshman season at LSU.
Givens, whose high school career began at MUS and finished at Montverde Academy, was coach Penny Hardaway's third-leading scorer (9.4 points per game) and its top 3-point shooter (36.5%). But he struggled to settle into a groove. Givens missed seven games due to various injuries, but he played the second-most minutes among all Tigers (25.7 per game). He made 15 starts and came off the bench in 10 games.
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.Jan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesWashington State Cougars forward Rihards Vavers (15) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.Memphis Tigers’ William Whorton (12) looks to make a move in the paint against UAB during an American Conference game on Feb. 22, 2025 at the FedexForum in Memphis, Tenn.Briarcrest’s Fred Smith Jr. smiles after putting on a Memphis Tigers hat and shirt to announce his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.Memphis basketball commit Cello Jackson looks on after Fred Smith Jr. announced his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.Briarcrest’s Parker Pounds (2) shoots the ball during the DII-AA state quarterfinal against Baylor in Eads, Tenn., on February 28, 2026. Briarcrest defeated Baylor 55-53.1 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsMemphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.1 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsMemphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.2 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsJan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images3 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsWashington State Cougars forward Rihards Vavers (15) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.4 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsMemphis Tigers’ William Whorton (12) looks to make a move in the paint against UAB during an American Conference game on Feb. 22, 2025 at the FedexForum in Memphis, Tenn.5 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsBriarcrest’s Fred Smith Jr. smiles after putting on a Memphis Tigers hat and shirt to announce his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.6 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsMemphis basketball commit Cello Jackson looks on after Fred Smith Jr. announced his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.7 / 7Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additionsBriarcrest’s Parker Pounds (2) shoots the ball during the DII-AA state quarterfinal against Baylor in Eads, Tenn., on February 28, 2026. Briarcrest defeated Baylor 55-53.Only two players from Hardaway's 2025-26 roster are returning for the 2026-27 season: guard Julius Thedford and forward William Whorton.
Memphis has also added transfers Brandin "Beebah" Cummings (Pitt), Rihards Vavers (Washington State) and Jerry Deng (NC State), as well as incoming freshmen Fred Smith Jr., Cello Jackson Jr., and Parker Pounds.
The only other player from the Tigers' 2025-26 roster to announce their landing spot is center Simon Majok, who has signed with Nevada.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Former Memphis Tiger Curtis Givens III transferring to Ohio State