One of Memphis’ own is coming home.

Former Western Kentucky guard Julius Thedford became the third player to commit to the Tigers via the NCAA transfer portal this offseason when he announced his decision Monday afternoon on Instagram.

Thedford, a 6-foot-4 Memphis native, averaged 12.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 36.6% from 3-point range for the Hilltoppers of Conference USA as a freshman this past season. He started in six of the 18 games he appeared in before a dislocated kneecap and torn ligament in a Jan. 18 road loss to Middle Tennessee sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

Despite having his season cut short, though, Thedford — who starred at Cordova High as a senior and at Whitehaven as a junior — was named to the 2024-25 CUSA All-Freshman Team.

“Got homesick... now I’m back and ready to put on for my city!” Thedford, a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, wrote in an Instagram post. “Born in Memphis. Built by Memphis. ... 1000% Committed.”

Thedford’s pledge comes after he concluded an official visit with the Tigers this past weekend.

The acquisition of Thedford also comes only two days after former Memphis forward and Saint Mary’s transfer Ashton Hardaway announced his return to the Tigers and more than a week after former Temple guard Quante Berry committed to the program on April 6. While that’s a solid start, coach Penny Hardaway has a long way to go as he looks to build a roster almost entirely from scratch for the third offseason in a row.

Jared Harris, Baraka Okojie, PJ Carter and Damarien “Dink” Yates have all entered the transfer portal, and the Tigers are still waiting on decisions from PJ Haggerty, Dante Harris and Bouna Kebe.

Dain Dainja, a first team All-AAC center, is submitting a waiver to the NCAA in an attempt to be granted an additional season of eligibility.

Memphis also has commitments in the 2025 class from Overtime Elite guard Daniel Vieira-Tuck and Eastern Florida State College (junior college) guard Felipe Patino.

Even if Haggerty, Dainja, Kebe and Dante Harris all return, along with current commits Thedford, Ashton Hardaway, Berry, Vieira-Tuck and Patino, the Tigers would be left with four of their 13 total scholarships still open.