Former Aces standout to transfer from Syracuse

After receiving limited playing time in two years at Syracuse, former Lower Merion basketball standout B.J. Johnson announced his decision to transfer on Thursday.

"He wants a chance to go somewhere where he can maximize his playing potential, get 25 minutes or more a game," his father, Bobby Johnson, said. "And with the year off, he'll have time to work on his body and put on a few pounds."

A 6-foot-7, 190-pound sophomore forward, B.J. Johnson averaged 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds in 25 games in the recently completed season.

As a senior at Lower Merion, Johnson averaged 16.5 points and 7.4 boards while helping the Aces to a 30-3 record and their first PIAA Class AAAA state title since 2006. He was a 1,241-point career.

Before choosing Syracuse, Johnson, 19, considered Rutgers, Temple, and Villanova, among others.