For the second time in as many days, Virginia coach Tony Bennett announced that one of his players will leave the Cavalier basketball program. One day after sophomore guard KT Harrell departed, redshirt freshman forward James Johnson told Bennett Saturday that he intends to transfer as well.
"Obviously with KT Harrell yesterday and James today deciding not to continue at Virginia I am disappointed," Bennett said in a statement Saturday. "But with that being said, if James and KT feel it's best for them not to be here I think it's better for everyone to part ways."
Like Harrell, Johnson was a high-profile recruit from Bennett's first signing class at Virginia. The Wildomar, Calif. native averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game for Elsinore High School and was listed as a Top 100 Recruit by Scout.com and ESPNU before joining the Cavaliers for the 2010-11 season.
Also like Harrell, Johnson struggled to adjust from high school stardom to a more marginal role in college. After redshirting last year at his request, the forward has played just 37 total minutes this season and scored nine points on 0-for-3 shooting from the field.
"Players have always wanted to play
Read More
LYLES: Thank you, Jade Hylton
By Cierra Lyles | 2 days agoHylton will forever be one of the best players to put on a Virginia uniform.
Trevor Dunbar named interim head coach for Virginia track and field and cross country
By Emory Huffman | 3 days agoFormer associate head coach Trevor Dunbar will take the reins of Virginia’s track and field and cross country programs, as announced Friday by Director of Athletics Carla Willliams.
Virginia men’s golf has authored a profound case study in legacy building
By Sofie Keppler | July 25, 2026The 2026 exit hardly captures how the Cavaliers’ leading pack — Ben James, Bryan Lee and Paul Chang — spearheaded some of Virginia’s most celebrated golf in years.
