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Sophomore point guard Tyrone Johnson is planning to transfer from Villanova, according to a release sent by the program this afternoon. The Montrose Christian and Plainfield (NJ) guard informed the coaching staff that he will depart from the program before the season officially begins this weekend.
Johnson will remain enrolled at Villanova for the Fall semester and will work out with the coaching staff, despite not suiting up for the team. He will officially leave Villanova as a student after the fall semester.
"We’re going to miss Ty," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "He has handled this with class. We all respect his work ethic, athletic ability and commitment to this program. We want what’s best for Ty."
Last season he appeared in all 32 games as a freshman and started nine games. He averaged 3.3 points, 2.0 assists (second on the team), 1.0 rebounds and 17.7 minutes in 2011-12. In the Wildcats' exhibition against Canadian champions, Carleton University last week, Johnson was used only sparingly, playing just 9 minutes as the starting point guard job was given to freshman Ryan Arcidiacono and the starting shooting guard spot went to Darrun Hilliard.
He scored no points in the contest, had two rebounds and two assists.
Observers expected that the Wildcats might have a transfer out of the backcourt either during or after this season, but it didn't appear likely that that would be Johnson until after the exhibition. Achraf Yacoubou was believed to be a potential odd-man-out, but his height allows him to play at and defend multiple positions on the perimeter.
Yacoubou played 18 minutes in the Thursday night preseason game, scoring 3 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Villanova is still going hard after a couple of 2013 recruits and the move will open up an additional 2013 scholarship that could used to lure in a player like Tyler Roberson, who recently cut his list to three schools. Nova is also awaiting the decision of 6-8 forward Austin Colbert in the 2013 class, who could make his decision soon.