Austin Nichols commits to Memphis

Austin Nichols is off the board.

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Monday morning, the former Duke target announced via twitter that he will be attending Memphis next year. The 6-foot-9 power forward, who is from Memphis, was strongly considering the Blue Devils, as well as Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Virginia.

Nichols' decision to stay close to home does not come as a shock as many felt that Duke had been losing significant ground in recent weeks.

For Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the news is crushing due to the fact the Blue Devils lose senior big men Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly after this season, which could leave the team with a thin frontcourt next season.

Now, the Blue Devil coaching staff will focus solely on its only remaining target in the class of 2013—Jabari Parker.

For more on Parker, read this week's Recruiting Roundup.