Villanova forward Taylor King left the team after a violation of team rules, ESPN.com reported.
The University released a statement saying the 6-foot-6 King planned “to remain at Villanova to focus his efforts on completing his degree requirements.”
Villanova coach Jay Wright did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
King transferred to Villanova in the summer of 2008 after one year at Duke University. The former McDonald’s All-American sat out the 2008-09 campaign as a transfer student and then appeared in 32 games, averaging 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 19.0 minutes per game.
TRAVIS TAYLOR UPDATE
Monmouth transfer Travis Taylor visited Temple this past Sunday-Monday and has now visited Seton Hall, Boston College and Temple.
The 6-7 Taylor is expected to make a decision about his next move toward the end of the month, sources said.
ORTIZ TO WAGNER (UPDATED)
Former Southern Miss guard Kenneth Ortiz has opted to transfer to Wagner and play for head coach Dan Hurley.
The 5-11, 180-pound former Newark Science star will sit out next season and will become eligible in 2011-12. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
“I chose Wagner because I like the small campus and the academic support around,” Ortiz said by text. “The thing I most like is the new coaching staff. With Hurley I feel I can become a better guard and have more opportunity there.”
Ortiz averaged 17.3 points, six assists and five steals a game as a senior. He scored more than 1,400 career points.
Ortiz joins an incoming class that includes 6-8 forward Orlando Parker, 6-1 guard Latif Rivers and 6-10 center Naofall Folahan.
Newark Science coach Milt Gaylord said Ortiz never got the playing time he wanted at Southern Miss after they went to a halfcourt offense.
“They wound up playing a halfcourt game,” Gaylord said. “He didn’t get to play a lot. He felt he needed to go somewhere where he could play.’
RECRUITING NOTES
By ALEX KLINE
(Photos courtesy Villanova Athletics)
