An exciting spring has (seemingly) come to an end for Virginia men’s basketball, which has reportedly added former Tennessee Volunteer guard Darius Thompson to the program.
Thompson decided to transfer from Tennessee after former Volunteers coach Cuonzo Martin left Knoxville for the head job at California. He visited Purdue and UVa and also considered returning to Tennessee before his choice was revealed late last night.
The 6’5″ Thompson, a combo guard, appeared in all 37 of Tennessee’s games this past season as a freshman. He started 10 of those games, averaging 2.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds per contest. He also led Tennessee in steals with 36.
Thompson will have to sit out the 2014/2015 season due to NCAA rules but will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015/2016.
UVa pursued Thompson while he attended Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The versatile guard averaged 16.4 points, 6.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per contest as a senior while leading his team to a 30-1 overall record. His high school highlights are below.
At this point UVa has no scholarships remaining for the 2014/2015 season. Thompson’s commitment presumably takes the Cavaliers out of the running for Ukraine shooting guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who would be an incoming freshman if he decides to play college ball. Barring attrition, UVa now only has one scholarship available for the 2015/2016 season.
