Tennessee guard Wes Washpun (4) looks to pass as he drives by Chaminade guard Waly Coulibaly, rear, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Tennessee defeated Chaminade 86-60. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)KNOXVILLE -- It took less than a week for the Tennessee men's basketball program to solve the math problem with its roster.
The school announced Monday that Wes Washpun has been granted a release from his scholarship and will transfer out of the program. The freshman point guard averaged 10.2 minutes, 0.9 point and 1.3 rebounds in 17 appearances this season. His last appearance came in UT's win at Florida on Feb. 11, in which he picked up a technical foul in the game's waning moments.
"We wish nothing but the best for Wes," UT coach Cuonzo Martin said in the university's release. "He's a high-character kid who comes from a good family. We all want him to be successful."
Washpun was Martin's first commitment after the coach took the job in late March. The athletic, 6-foot-1, 163-pound Iowa native was the last from Martin's first class to arrive, though, after he wasn't cleared by the NCAA until August. He didn't play in UT's final nine games, surrendering his backup point guard spot to a rotation of Josh Richardson, Skylar McBee and Jordan McRae.
When Atlanta-area wing Armani Moore committed to UT last week, it put the Vols one over the 13-player scholarship limit for next season and indicated at least one player from this year's roster would not return. Washpun's lack of playing time made him a likely candidate.
Center Kenny Hall remains indefinitely suspended.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com or 901-581-7288. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/patrickbrowntfp.