Fordham's Paschall transferring to Villanova

Eric Paschall, the Atlantic Ten Conference rookie of the year this season, is transferring from Fordham to Villanova, The Inquirer learned Thursday.

Paschall, a 6-foot-6 forward, averaged 15.9 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Rams in his freshman season. He was 10th in the A-10 in scoring and sixth in free-throw percentage at 79.4 percent.

Paschall will sit out the 2015-16 season under NCAA rules and have three years of eligibility remaining. The official announcement of his transfer may come as soon as Friday.

Fordham fired head coach Tom Pecora, a former assistant to Wildcats coach Jay Wright, after finishing 10-21, and 4-14 in the conference. Paschall asked for permission to speak to other schools as a result, and reportedly also considered Kansas, Florida, and Providence.

- Joe Juliano