Purdue junior-to-be point guard Ronnie Johnson will transfer from Purdue, the school announced Saturday afternoon.

The Indianapolis native was Purdue's starting point guard for the majority of his first two seasons on campus

"Ronnie has expressed his interest in transferring from our program and we have granted him his release," Purdue coach Matt Painter said in a released statement. "We wish Ronnie the best of luck as he continues to pursue his education and basketball career."

Johnson, the younger brother of outgoing senior Terone Johnson, started all but one game this season and averaged 10.8 points and recorded a team-high 117 assists. He started as a true freshman the season prior.

The move on its surface may look like a surprise, considering the player's major role and virtual guarantee of significant minutes, but was the culmination of a weeks- or months-long drama behind the scenes.

After Purdue's season ended in a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament Thursday, Johnson was asked if he expected to return to the Boilermakers for his junior season.

"Yeah, Johnson said. "I mean ... I'm not sure. I'll probably be back just like every other year."

When asked if he'd considered not coming back, he said, "I haven't talked to anybody about it."

When asked then if he was expecting to be back next season, he said, "Yeah, sure."

Johnson talked to Painter Saturday over the phone at which time a release from his scholarship was granted and to be sent e-mail. It came as no surprise to Purdue's coaching staff, which was aware of the possibility.

Painter met with Johnson's family around Christmas, though it is unknown whether or not the transfer possibility was broached then.

GoldandBlack.com has learned that through the course of at least the past few weeks, Johnson's family has been making it known to other programs that the point guard would be available to recruit this spring.

Cincinnati and Memphis are expected to be among the contenders for Johnson, who'll sit out next season under NCAA transfer rules, then have two remaining seasons of eligibility.

Attempts to reach both Ronnie Johnson and father Terone Johnson Sr. Saturday were not immediately successful.

Johnson's departure leaves Purdue in a difficult spot at point guard, where it's slated to return sophomore-to-be Bryson Scott, its backup this season, to go along with incoming freshman P.J. Thompson. Purdue could still add another recruit this spring if it so chooses.

Purdue now only has five scholarship players slated to return next season, with a five-man freshman class incoming, also.
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