Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim bolstered his future frontcourt Tuesday, landing Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson.

Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward, averaged 12.4 points per game during his sophomore season with the Cyclones last year.

Per NCAA transfer rules, he will have to sit out the 2008-09 season. Once Johnson joins the team he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Johnson revealed his decision to the Post-Standard Tuesday night, and his mother, Mary, confirmed her son’s decision via telephone Wednesday.

Attempts to reach Johnson for comment were unsuccessful.

The forward received interest from several schools when he announced his decision to transfer in May. Those schools included Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Marquette and Arkansas. But after visiting Syracuse this weekend, Johnson opted to go with the Orange.

When Johnson does take the court in the 2009-10 season, he could provide a significant boost to the SU frontcourt. Johnson is best suited at the small forward position, but has played both power forward and shooting guard for the Cyclones.

His length and athleticism would seem to make him a perfect fit to man the wing in Boeheim’s 2-3 zone.

The Corsicana, Texas native averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds a game his first season with Iowa State, en route to a Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection.

Last year, Johnson played the entire season with what turned out be a stress fracture in his foot, but still managed to tie for the team lead in scoring. The Cyclones went 14-18 last year and missed out on postseason play.

Considered by many to be a vital building block for Iowa State heading into the 2008-09 season, Johnson shocked many with his decision to transfer.

But Iowa State’s loss has turned into Syracuse’s gain.

jsclayto@syr.edu

Published on June 25, 2008 at 12:00 pm