The University of Memphis fired its men's basketball academic advisor on Feb. 23, one day before the athletic department announced fifth-year senior Malcolm Dandridge would be withheld from competition pending a review of a potential issue related to his eligibility status.

Leslie Brooks was hired by Memphis as an athletic academic advisor for men's basketball, softball, men's golf and women's golf in August 2023, according to a copy of her personnel file obtained by The Commercial Appeal through an open records request. That file also included a copy of her termination letter.

Portions of Brooks' termination letter are redacted, including the reason for her firing. Brooks came to Memphis from Alabama State, where she spent one year as an academic advisor. She also worked as an academic advisor at Southeast Missouri State, her alma mater, from August 2020 to May 2022, according to her University of Memphis employment application.

Memphis has not commented on the matter publicly since its initial announcement on Feb. 24. Coach Penny Hardaway has also avoided discussing specifics of Dandridge's situation, repeatedly noting to reporters, 'We’re just waiting to find out, just like you guys are."

The decision to keep Dandridge out of games indefinitely stems from potential academic misconduct, multiple sources confirmed to The Commercial Appeal in February. Dandridge, who was enjoying his best season in a Memphis uniform, sat out the final five games.

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Not long after the Tigers' loss to Wichita State in the AAC tournament on Thursday, Dandridge issued his first public comments since being sidelined.

"I hope them punks that wasn’t letting me play satisfied," he posted on Instagram. "The truth will come out! Be careful who you allow yourself to be around, them snakes will smile and say they love you, and stab the (expletive) out of you."

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis fired academic advisor before Malcolm Dandridge announcement