“Problems continue to mount for coach Ed DeChellis and his Penn State men’s basketball program.
“DeChellis said today that he granted starting power forward Aaron Johnson his request to transfer. The 6-9 Johnson led the Big Ten Conference in rebounding last season.
“DeChellis, Johnson and Johnson’s father, Howard, met last Thursday and reached an amicable agreement.
“Johnson, who has one year of eligibility remaining, is the seventh player who has left Penn State before his eligibility expired under the DeChellis regime. Sharif Chambliss, Brandon Cameron, DeForrest Riley Smith, Robert Summers and John Kelly transferred while Jan Jagla opted to play professional basketball in Europe.
“Because DeChellis released Johnson from his scholarship, Johnson is free to transfer to a Division I school next season but must sit out until 2006-07.
“”We just decided it was best for both of us as far as me being a senior next year and him having a great freshman class (rising sophomores),’ Aaron Johnson said. ‘It will help everyone. I’m happy with it. Coach is happy with it.’ …”