Auburn Basketball News: KT Harrell to Transfer from Virginia

Reports were released Tuesday afternoon that Virginia shooting guard KT Harrell will transfer to Auburn, but he will not be eligible to play until the 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

“We looked at a bunch of schools and none of them fit K.T. better than Auburn,” Harrell’s father, Rodney, said Tuesday afternoon. “The style of play that Tony Barbee wants is exactly what we want, that dribble-drive offense, and it’s going to work out great for everyone.”

After playing 31 games his freshman year for the Cavaliers, starting in 15 of them, Harrell left the team in December because of lack of playing time.

After numerous visits to the Plains, Harrell made his decision Monday to play for head coach Tony Barbee.

During his freshman year, Harrell averaged 8.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game, shooting 42.3 percent from the field, including 42.1 percent from 3-point range (24-of-57).

After forward Willy Kouassi and guard Bernard Morena were given full release to transfer last week, Auburn had one available scholarship remaining, assuming guard Varez Ward will not return to the team after the conclusion of the federal case of point-shaving.

Harrell, who is 6-foot-4, 204 pounds, will be playing for an Alabama school for the first time since being named the 2010 Class 4A Player of the Year his senior season for Brewbaker Tech Magnet High School.

He was also named the Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year, and was ranked in the top 100 nationally by Rivals, Scout and ESPN.

"I just want to win," Harrell said. "and I expect to work as hard as I can."