Former Bloomfield (N.J.) Tech star Casiem Drummond is leaving Villanova.
The 6-10, 280-pound junior center has decided to transfer and will not be with the team when it takes on Penn tonight in a Big 5 matchup at the Palestra. He cannot transfer within the Big East, as per league rules.
Bloomfield Tech coach Nick Mariniello said it was too early to tell where Drummond might end up.
“Casiem is interested in finding a place where he can earn significantly more playing time than he has received here,” Villanova head coach Jay Wright said in a statement. “Our staff is doing all it can to help him locate that opportunity. Cas has made strides in his time with us and we appreciate all his efforts on behalf of our basketball family.”
The East Orange, N.J., native has appeared in just two games this season and averaged 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 19 minutes. He missed Villanova’s 107-68 victory over Fordham because of soreness in his left foot and was suspended for the Monmouth game for what Wright termed a “minor disciplinary” matter.
The injury “is part of it, but I don’t want to use it as an excuse,” Wright told the Philly Inquirer. “We’re also dealing with his future in our program. Every player wants to play more. Part of it is his foot, but part of it also is where he fits in our rotation.”
His best game was Nov. 25, 2007, when he tallied 9 points and 17 rebounds in a 69-68 loss to North Carolina State in the finals of the Old Spice Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Drummond started nine times in 42 career games. He missed 14 games last season because of a pair of ankle injuries that eventually required surgery March 25.
Villanova comes to New York for the Jimmy V Classic Dec. 9 when it meets Texas.
