Men's basketball coach Pete Gillen announced Wednesday that sophomore J.C. Mathis has asked for and will receive his immediate release from the Virginia program.
While Mathis' future plans have not yet been announced, his departure marks the Virginia program's second transfer from Gillen's 2000-01 recruiting class. Guard Maurice Young transferred to St. Bonaventure early in the season.
The senior class of 2004, originally made up of Mathis and Young, now consists of two transfers from other schools, guard Todd Billet from Rutgers and center Nick Vander Laan from California.
Guard Majestic Mapp, who has missed the last two seasons following knee surgery, could join the class of 2004 if he is not granted a second medical redshirt.
With the loss of Mathis, the Virginia frontcourt will include two seniors - Travis Watson and little-used Jason Rogers - in addition to Vander Laan, a junior, and two sophomores, Elton Brown and Jason Clark.
Upon the announcement of Mathis' departure, Gillen reflected on the forward's career at Virginia.
"I sincerely appreciate J.C. Mathis' contributions to our basketball program the past two years," Gillen said. "I wish him much success in his future endeavors."
Mathis, a 6-foot-8, 224-pound forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., earned a letter each of the past two seasons for the Cavaliers.
Last season, he played in 28 games, including 20 starts, and averaged 4.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game to go with 21 assists and 15 blocks on the season.
Mathis' best game in a Virginia uniform came in a 93-59 home victory over VMI on Jan. 24, where he tallied career highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds, both game highs for the Cavaliers. He also was instrumental in a 76-68 home victory over Rutgers on Dec. 23 with 16 points and five rebounds.
Mathis averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2000-01.
Read More
How Morgan Schwab has helped continue the prestige of Virginia women’s lacrosse
By Peter Kratz | 22 hours agoAs the Cavaliers approach the NCAA enactment , they will be relying on Schwab to make a run at a national title.
Connor Shellenberger and Cole Kastner selected in the PLL Draft
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoConnor Shellenberger and Cole Kastner will proudly represent the Cavaliers through continued excellence in the PLL.
No. 6 women’s tennis breezes through first two rounds of NCAA Tournament
By Grace Gould | 2 days agoNo. 6 Virginia women’s tennis hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament over the weekend, competing against Long Island University and No. 41 Princeton.
