Virginia's James Johnson to transfer

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia men's head basketball coach Tony Bennett says redshirt freshman forward James Johnson is planning to transfer and leave the Cavaliers' program.

Bennett says he met with Johnson on Saturday.

He is the fourth member of Bennett's first recruiting class to leave the program in the past year, joining Billy Baron, Will Regan and K.T. Harrell, who announced his intention to transfer on Friday. Of that first class, only Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell remain at Virginia.

In a statement, Bennett said he's disappointed about the news this week that both Johnson and Harrell would be leaving, but said it's better for everyone to part ways if they feel it's best for them not to be with the program.

The 6-foot-9 Johnson from Wildomar, Calif., has played in six games this season, scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds. Johnson redshirted last season, at his request, but had failed to earn much playing time so far this year.

The departures come with the Cavaliers (10-1) off to their best start since the 2000-01 season, and riding an eight-game winning streak. Virginia also has won its last four true road games, it longest road winning streak since 1994-95.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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