Eric Paschall, Fordham's Leading Scorer, Transferring to Villanova

Eric Paschall, Fordham's leading scorer in 2014-15 and the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, announced Thursday via Twitter that he's transferring to Villanova.

"

I have officially committed to Villanova University!!!!! #NovaNation ⚪️🔵⚪️🔵

— Eric Paschall (@Epaschall4) April 23, 2015"

Paschall will have to sit out a year per NCAA rules but will have three years of eligibility left beginning in the 2016-17 season.

Last month, Paschall took to Twitter to announce he would at least consider transferring to another school:

"

I have been granted Permission to Contact, which means my recruitment is now open.

— Eric Paschall (@Epaschall4) March 23, 2015"

Multiple reports, including ones from SNY.tv's Adam Zagoria, who broke the story of Paschall's transfer Thursday morning, had him strongly considering Villanova, Providence, Kansas and Florida. However, Paschall never ruled out a return to Rose Hill:

"

Fordham is still an option for a school

— Eric Paschall (@Epaschall4) March 23, 2015"

News 12 Bronx's Pat O'Keefe tweeted that Eric's dad, Juan, told him that the relationship with Villanova coaches started when Eric was being recruited in high school. Juan Paschall sees joining the Wildcats and playing for head coach Jay Wright as being a good fit for his son:

"

Paschall's dad on why Eric chose #Villanova: "Distance, education & basketball... Love the coaching staff - young & energetic."

— Pat O'Keefe (@patokeefe12) April 23, 2015"

Fordham fired Tom Pecora in March. At the time, it cited his 44-106 record in five seasons and a 50 percent retention rate (not including this year's freshmen). Now, the program's retention rate takes its most serious hit, though the school can't pin this one on Pecora.

Juan Paschall told O'Keefe that even if Pecora remained at Fordham, Eric still would have considered his options:

"

I asked Paschall's dad if EP would've looked to transfer is Pecora hadn't been fired: "Not necessarily. Still would've been a possibility."

— Pat O'Keefe (@patokeefe12) April 23, 2015"

Regardless of why he left or what may have influenced his decision, this is a huge loss for a program that's struggled for over two decades and appeared to have hit the jackpot when Paschall decided to come on board.

Paschall is a special talent. He was the New England Prep Player of the Year in 2014 at Connecticut's St. Thomas More. As a freshman at Fordham, he averaged 15.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. In addition to being the A-10 Rookie of the Year, this week he was named Met Basketball Writers Association Co-Rookie of the Year.

He could have transformed the Fordham basketball program.

Now, Paschall will be taking his talents from New York to Philadelphia. A whole lot of hope will go down the Jersey Turnpike with him.

Follow Charles Costello on Twitter: @CFCostello. A full archive of his articles can be found here.