Virginia announced Wednesday that combo guard Taylor Barnette, a rising sophomore guard for the men’s basketball team, will transfer to seek more playing time and a larger share of the responsibilities at another school.
“Taylor has informed me that he has decided to transfer from our program,” head coach Tony Bennett said. “His main reason is that he wants a bigger role as a player at another school. His release will be granted and we wish him well.”
As a freshmen in 2012-13, Barnette tallied 2.6 points per game and shot a sizzling 43.2 percent from 3-point range, the highest average among Cavaliers with at least 30 points. His 13 points and three 3-pointers against St. John’s in the NIT Second Round helped spark Virginia to a 68-50 victory, while his unorthodox, angled shooting style distinguished him on the court.
But he only averaged 9.5 minutes per game in 26 outings as he got lost in the shuffle of the Cavaliers’ stable of guards, losing time included Jontel Evans, Joe Harris, Teven Jones and Paul Jesperson, who transferred in April. The scramble for backcourt playing time is only expected to intensify with the return of Malcolm Brogdon from a season-long foot injury and the additions of highly-touted recruits London Perrantes and Devon Hall.
Barnette’s defection brings the tally of Virginia players who have transferred since 2011 to six. Four of those players—Billy Baron, K.T. Harrell, Jesperson and Barnette—play primarily on the perimeter.
The announcement divulged no information concerning Barnette’s possible destination.
Barnette is the brother of Virginia women’s basketball forward Sarah Beth Barnette.
—Compiled by Fritz Metzinger
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