Memphis basketball announced the addition of midseason transfer forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin Tuesday.

Tomlin did not play in Memphis' 77-54 win over No. 22 Virginia on Tuesday. He did, however, spend the game on the bench in a gray-and-black jumpsuit. Tomlin is permitted to practice with the team, according to a press release from the school, as he awaits confirmation of graduation from his former school, Kansas State. That process is expected to be completed by Wednesday, multiple sources told the Commercial Appeal. Upon completion, Tomlin will be eligible to compete for the Tigers (9-2).

Following the game, coach Penny Hardaway said Tomlin will play against visiting Vanderbilt on Saturday (3 p.m., CBS) "if he's eligible to play."

Hardaway also discussed what he expects Tomlin will bring to the table for the Tigers.

“I’ll talk defensively first," Hardaway began. "He can guard one through five. He’s a rim protector. He’s an unbelievable rebounder. And, then, on the flip side of it, he’s a playmaker. He’s a rim runner. He gets out and flies. He can make plays, and he can shoot. So, for me, you just put him out there, let him get his feet wet, and then we (will) just work around him."

Tomlin has not played in a game since March, because he was suspended indefinitely by Kansas State after an arrest stemming from a bar fight in October in Kansas. That incident ultimately led to Tomlin's dismissal, which made him available to transfer elsewhere.

Hardaway said he might only use Tomlin in limited amounts against Vanderbilt.

“Because he plays doesn’t mean he has to play 20 or 30 minutes," said Hardaway. "Even if it’s just to get his feet wet, a couple minutes, just to get that energy. He hasn’t played a game in a while. I’m gonna go off his flow. I’m not rushing him out there. If he says he’s not ready Saturday, he won’t play Saturday. If he’s like, ‘Give me another week,’ we’ll give him another week."

This is Tomlin's final season of eligibility. Hardaway said he has already shown a willingness to do whatever it takes for the team to win.

“I think you gotta know Nae’Qwan," said Hardaway. "Just from being around him the last couple days, he’s going to do whatever it takes. If he just has to go out there and rebound and block shots, that’s what he’ll do. If he has to go out there and post up and make plays, that’s what he’ll do. He’s just willing to do whatever we need him to do. That’s a beautiful thing."

Tomlin burst onto the national scene last season − his only one at Kansas State. The Harlem, New York, native averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 36 games for the Wildcats. During the team's Elite Eight run, Tomlin upped his game, averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in the NCAA Tournament.

MEMPHIS BASKETBALL: Why Tigers and Penny Hardaway are feeling dangerous after another big win

Tomlin did not play organized basketball until enrolling at Monroe (New York) Community College. He redshirted there in 2018-19, then averaged 13.3 points and 8.8 rebounds a game the following season. Tomlin spent the next two seasons at Chipola (Florida) College, averaging 13.8 points and 5.9 rebounds a game as a sophomore.

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: Penny Hardaway on what Nae'Qwan Tomlin brings to Memphis basketball