Pitt's over-the-limit scholarship problem got a bit more management a few weeks back with 2011 recruit Jaylen Bond heading to prep school. Today, it was solved completely with J.J. Richardson deciding to transfer.
↵
Richardson cited a need to be closer to home:
↵
↵
↵"I am looking for an opportunity to move closer to my family," Richardson said. "I want to thank everyone at Pitt, including my coaches, teammates, fans and those associated with the program. It was a great two years and I wish everyone well. I'm very thankful for everything that Pitt has done for me."
↵
↵
As I wrote over at Cardiac Hill, I don't know how much I'm buying that this is really his decision. I can understand a freshman deciding he's homesick and wants to be closer to home, but at the very least, I think Richardson wanted more minutes. Maybe more likely, he was asked to leave.
↵
Either way, Pitt has one less problem on its hands thanks to Richardson's departure. Does this news mean that Ashton Gibbs is more likely to come back? After all, if he were leaving, the scholarship situation could have been fixed without Richardson leaving. We should know more later.
↵
