Memphis Appeals Six-Game Sit for Eligible Center

The NCAA cleared Memphis center Nemanja Popović for two seasons of eligibility but required him to sit out the Tigers’ first six games; Memphis plans to appeal. The 24-year-old Serbian center, who earned league MVP honors in Serbia and later played professionally in Poland, averaged 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in his most recent season overseas. Separately, New Orleans’ Saddiq Bey is making a case for more playing time after averaging 15.7 points on efficient shooting through the Pelicans’ first three games, despite the team’s 0-3 start. Another NBA discussion weighs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascent against Nikola Jokić’s established case as the league’s best player, while a separate report says Sacramento’s Precious Achiuwa will start against Memphis after a strong start off the bench.