Report: Dorian Finney-Smith Plans to Transfer

The honeymoon is over, according to David Teel, Dorian Finney-Smith intends to transfer, "Virginia Tech's most acclaimed basketball recruit in more than a generation, plans to transfer after just one season with the Hokies, sources said Tuesday."

This is the first bit of adversity James Johnson will have to deal with during his tenure. Johnson was able to keep Erick Green in Blacksburg, and Marshall Wood coming to town. Although, Doe-Doe might had been out the door even if Seth Greenberg was still the Head Hokie (I couldn't resist).

Just to be clear: Sources say Finney-Smith's planned transfer unrelated to #Hokies coaching change. "This has been brewing for months."

— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) May 8, 2012

However, Greenberg was the primary reason Finney-Smith ended up in Blacksburg.

"I chose Virginia Tech because Coach Greenberg recruited me himself," said Finney-Smith, who chose the Hokies over Florida and Old Dominion. "Plus, I wanted to win a national championship in my home state."

Doe-Doe didn't have as productive a freshman year as many expected the blue-chip recruit would. The low was an 0 for 25 shooting slump during the middle of ACC play. During the season Seth Greenberg mentioned he needed to adjustment his shooting form. Even though he struggled, he finished stronger than he started, and his freakish athleticism and size made for a high ceiling. He would have been an important piece on next year's team.

I wish him the best of luck wherever he ends up.

Here are a few updates

The logistics of the decision from Teel's now updated post.

Tom Gabbard, Tech's associate athletic director in charge of basketball, said Finney-Smith's mother, Desiree Finney, requested her son's release last weekend in a meeting with Gabbard and new Hokies coach James Johnson.

Previously, Johnson had met with Finney-Smith and Desiree Finney, according to Gabbard.

"J.J.'s position is going to be if you don't want to be at Virginia Tech and you're unhappy here, we don't want you here," Gabbard said. "We're trying to build something. You only go through this (playing college basketball) once, and you need to be happy."

Gabbard added that Tech will grant Finney-Smith his release to a school "not in direct competition" with the Hokies, meaning an ACC rival.

Even though his older brother Ben played there, and former Tech assistant John Richardson (who he was tight with) works there again, it's been reported he won't try to transfer to ODU.

Finney-Smith not interested in transfer to #odu, according to his mother, Desiree Finney.

— Ed Miller (@edmillervp) May 8, 2012

Finally, James Johnson's let's just move on and worry about us attitude is refreshing.

"We've got enough pieces that we'll be okay, not to take anything from Dorian," Johnson said. "He was a heck of a player, had a good freshman year, was a big rebounder for us. But we've got enough pieces that we'll be okay — you've got Jarell Eddie, C.J. Barksdale will have to step up, you've got Marshall Wood, an incoming freshman."

Let's see where we go from here.