University of Memphis junior forward Paris Gaines was arrested Monday, March 2, 2026, on an aggravated assault charge, one day after she saw action in the Tigers' road game at UTSA, local media reported. Gaines had logged minutes in Memphis' rotation during the Sunday, March 1, matchup before news of her arrest surfaced.
According to Action News 5, Gaines was taken into custody on Monday and charged with aggravated assault. The station reported that she has appeared in 25 games this season and played in Sunday's contest against UTSA, and said it is still working to learn more about what led to the charge.
On the court
Per University of Memphis Athletics, Gaines finished with nine points and six rebounds in the Tigers' 67-55 loss at UTSA. The defeat knocked Memphis out of contention for the 10-team American Conference tournament and sent the Tigers home to regroup ahead of a scheduled March 4 matchup.
Legal context
Under Tennessee law, aggravated assault can be charged when an assault results in serious bodily injury, involves the use or display of a deadly weapon, or includes strangulation, factors that typically elevate the offense to a felony. According to the Tennessee Code (TCA §39-13-102), aggravated assault carries increased penalties and fines that depend on the specific circumstances of the alleged offense.
What’s next
Details on the case remain limited, and the precise charges could change as prosecutors review evidence. Local reporters have indicated they are still gathering information. According to Action News 5, investigators and the university had not released additional information at the time of publication, and upcoming court filings or booking records are expected to clarify the next procedural steps.
