Villanova basketball reserve Dylan Painter to transfer
The redshirt sophomore forward returned to competition this season after redshirting in 2017-18. Although he started in last week's season opener, he played just six minutes.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/5TWDID6BWVFBRGQWJHNZPB5ZOM.jpg)
Redshirt sophomore forward Dylan Painter, who saw only 11 minutes of playing time in Villanova's first three games, has decided to transfer, Wildcats coach Jay Wright announced Friday.
The 6-foot-11, 224-pound Painter, a graduate of Hershey High School, came back this season after redshirting in 2017-18. He started the Nov. 6 season opener against Morgan State but played just six minutes and had three points and three rebounds.
Painter added two points and three rebounds in five minutes coming off the bench last Saturday against Quinnipiac but he did not see action in Wednesday's loss to Michigan.
"This is a very sad day for all of us in our program," Wright said in a statement. "There is not a player more loved or respected on our team than Dylan Painter. Dylan has decided he wants to go to a program where he can play more. He's been such a valuable asset to our program that we want him to be happy. He deserves it. Dylan's been a very important member of this program and we wish him all the best."
Painter played in 23 games as a freshman, averaging 0.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.5 minutes, with career highs of 10 points and six rebounds in a 2017 Big East Tournament win over St. John's.
Wildcats sign four high school players
Wright also announced the signing of four members of the freshman class of 2019 to national letters of intent. They were 6-foot-5 guard Bryan Antoine of Eatontown, N.J.; 6-7 forward Eric Dixon of Abington; 6-4 guard Justin Moore of Ackokee, Md.; and 6-9 forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl of Shawnee Mission, Kan.
All four players are ranked in the top 60 of both Rivals.com and 247Sports.com. Antoine and Robinson-Earl are consensus five-star recruits. Dixon, who plays for Abington High School, and Moore have been rated four stars.
"This is as well-rounded a class as we've had," Wright said. "These young men are good students and talented players who come from great families. We're really excited about this group."
Villanova's 2019 recruiting class was ranked second in the nation by both Rivals and 247Sports.