Tony Chennault to leave Villanova

Tony Chennault was excited to come home last season and play right away for Villanova, particularly after he received a hardship waiver from the NCAA after transferring from Wake Forest to be closer to his ill mother.

But after one season in which he saw action in all 34 games with the Wildcats but never as a starter, Chennault has decided he will transfer again.

Coach Jay Wright made the announcement Thursday.

"We are going to miss Tony," he said in a statement. "He was a major part of our run for the NCAA tournament last season. We respect Tony's decision and he will always be a part of Nova Nation."

Chennault, who played at Neumann-Goretti High School, averaged 3.6 points and 18.5 minutes last season. He struggled with the Wildcats' offense early but later provided a spark as the team's sixth man, handling the basketball and defending.

Chennault has one season of eligibility remaining and may not want to sit out a year if he transfers to another Division I school. However, since he already has transferred once, he may have to sit out if he moves on to a Division II program.

Dylan Ennis, a transfer from Rice who sat out this past season but practiced with the team, is expected to see significant action at point guard next season, joining holdover starters Ryan Arcidiacono and Darrun Hilliard in the backcourt rotation.

Chennault played his first two seasons at Wake Forest but transferred because of his mother's illness and received the NCAA hardship waiver. After the waiver was approved, his older brother was killed in a shooting in North Philadelphia.

Chennault is expected to finish the spring semester at Villanova.