Paschal Chukwu to Transfer from Providence

Paschal Chukwu is transferring out of Providence. That's the news that CBSSports.com's Jon Rothstein is reporting on Monday. Chukwu averaged 2.6 points/game and 2.4 rebounds/game in 34 games during his first season as a Friar. That apparently will be his only season as a Friar as the school made the news official shortly after Rothstein tweeted his report.

"I would like to wish Paschal success in his future plans," Ed Cooley said in the official release from the school. Cooley continued, "he helped us have a successful season in 2014-15 and advance to the NCAA Tournament."

This move is a big blow to Cooley who was counting on the highly touted Chukwu to start and play an increased role up front for the Friars next season. Even with Chukwu in the fold the Friars were thin up front with incoming freshman Alex Owens' status up in the air due to both a knee injury and his grades. Cooley and the Friars now have two open scholarships to work with for next season and this means the Friars will be extra aggressive in the transfer market to try to find some big bodies that will be immediately available next season, likely star point guard Kris Dunn's final one in a Friar uniform.

Chukwu will have to sit out the 2015-16 season, per NCAA transfer rules. He will have 3 years of eligibility remaining after that.