Former Memphis basketball star Dain Dainja has an NBA contract.
Dainja signed with the Miami Heat on Sept. 11. He’s on an Exhibit 10 deal, meaning he’s signed for training camp and will have a shot to make the roster before likely starting the season in the G League. The 6-foot-9, 271-pound center was with the Heat for NBA Summer League, averaging eight points and 3.3 rebounds.
After starting his college career at Baylor and Illinois, Dainja transferred to Memphis ahead of the 2024-25 season. He initially started on the bench but grew into a dominant post presence by the end of the season, helping lead the Tigers to regular season and tournament American Conference titles and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Dainja averaged 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Tigers.
After the season, Dainja attempted to get an NCAA waiver for an additional year of eligibility. That process was not resolved until just before the NBA Draft in June, but the NCAA ultimately denied Dainja’s waiver request and he joined the Heat for Summer League.
Though he only played one season for the Tigers, Dainja became a fan favorite thanks to his post play and highlight-reel dunks that led to FedExForum being called the “Dainja Zone.”
“I’d say out of all three schools (I attended), the Memphis fan base was the most supportive,” Dainja told The Commercial Appeal after his waiver request was denied. “It was always just a ton of love to me and my family – even when we would lose. I came from a Big Ten school, and Illinois fans are crazy and very supportive. But I didn’t know (Memphis) was going to be on that level. They go just as hard as Illinois or any other Big Ten school.”
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.