PF Jaylen Bond requests a transfer from the Texas Longhorns

Sophomore forward Jaylen Bond has officially requested a transfer from the Texas Longhorns, as reported by The Daily Texan. Rumors of Bond's impending transfer had been circulating for weeks, and an official announcement seemed around the corner after the Philadelphia Inquirer published an article speculating on Bond's transfer. Per a quote from Bond in The Daily Texan, he will not participate in Texas' upcoming game(s) in the CBI Tournament.

Bond was expected to play a significant role on this year's team, pairing with Jonathan Holmes to form a promising rotation at the 4. Instead, Bond injured his left foot in fall practice, then injured his right foot five minutes into his season debut against Chaminade. Those were the only minutes he played in the first 11 games. By the time he returned, Bond's place in the rotation had been replaced by freshman Connor Lammert.

Bond finished the 2012-13 season averaging just 2.8 PPG and 3.2 RPG in 11.1 MPG. His best game, and really his only good game, came at Kansas St., where he finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds. His season averages were a step down from last year, when he averaged 3.4 PPG and 4.6 RPG in 15.4 MPG.

Bond becomes the second player from the 2011 class to transfer, following in the footsteps of Sterling Gibbs. Gibbs left for Seton Hall following the end of last year. The once heralded class, ranked 8th in the nation by Rivals, has massively disappointed in their time on campus. Five-star Myck Kabongo may be out the door as well as he considers declaring for the NBA Draft. Both Sheldon McClellan and Julien Lewis, top 75 players in the class, lost their starting spots this season, while Holmes has struggled since returning from a broken wrist.

As for Bond, he has not announced a transfer destination. Bond had originally signed a Letter of Intent with the Pittsburgh Panthers during his senior year of high school. Pitt released him from his LOI, and Bond joined the Longhorns in August, right before the fall semester started. A Pennsylvania native, Bond might be expected to revisit offers from the Temple Owls, St. Joseph's Hawks or La Salle Explorers, depending on present-day interest.