Leading scorer Ty-Laur Johnson no longer with San Diego basketball program
Ty-Laur Johnson, the University of San Diego’s leading scorer this season, will not be with the Toreros for the remainder of the campaign, coach Steve Lavin confirmed after Wednesday night’s 71-58 victory. The sudden departure leaves a hole in San Diego’s backcourt with four regular-season games remaining.
Coach frames departure around health and academics; roster change follows
In a postgame interview, Lavin said he and Johnson met earlier in the week and reached an understanding that it is best for Johnson to step away and focus on his health and academics. "I met with Ty-Laur Johnson earlier this week. We had a productive conversation, an extensive meeting related to his future at USD. And we've come to an understanding that it's best for Ty, at this juncture, to focus on his health and academics.... Naturally, we wish him well with all future endeavors, " Lavin said.
By Wednesday, Johnson no longer appeared on the men's basketball roster on USD's athletic website. A search for his bio led to a dead page. Lavin did not detail the specific reasons for the move, though a source close to the program indicated there have been a string of disciplinary issues involving the two-time transfer.
On-court impact and immediate lineup changes
Johnson had been the Toreros' statistical leader, averaging a team-high 14. 6 points, 4. 3 assists and 2. 3 steals per game while logging a team-leading 28. 0 minutes. He posted 11 games of 18 or more points, including a career-high 28 in a 96-92 win on Jan. 21 (ET). One of his most memorable moments in a Torero uniform came on Dec. 19 (ET), when he banked a 3-pointer with 0. 5 seconds left to give San Diego an improbable 82-80 win at UCSD.
Johnson’s last appearance came in an 83-63 loss at Loyola Marymount, where he played just five minutes and did not score. In his absence Wednesday against Portland, Argentine guard Juanse Gorosito started and delivered a complete game: 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in 34 minutes.
Lavin acknowledged the disruptive emotional element of losing a teammate. "I do think it was an adjustment for our coaching staff, for our players, because Ty is a member of our basketball family, " he said. "In his absence, you could sense a disjointed element that comes with missing a teammate and the brotherhood.... It is real. These guys have been through a lot, going back to the summer and into the fall in this basketball season. That lifetime relationship is still going to be in play, but it's better right now in our view for Ty to focus on academics so he can finish strong in that regard at USD, and his health. "
What’s next: transfer portal and the Toreros’ immediate outlook
Lavin said he expects Johnson to enter the transfer portal for his final season of eligibility and said the guard’s career still has a bright future. Johnson began his college career at Louisville and spent his sophomore year at Wake Forest before arriving at San Diego. He averaged 8. 7 points per game at Louisville and 6. 1 points at Wake Forest as a young prospect who once drew national attention for on- and off-court anecdotes early in his career.
San Diego sits tied for eighth place in the conference at 5-9 with four games left on the schedule, starting Sunday afternoon (ET) against USF. The conference tournament begins March 5 (ET) in Las Vegas. With the loss of their leading scorer, the Toreros will need other guards and role players to step up in the closing stretch if they are to salvage postseason hopes and stabilize the locker room during a turbulent finish to the regular season.
For Johnson, a transfer decision appears likely; for the Toreros, the challenge now is twofold: replace production on the court and manage the emotional fallout of a sudden midseason change to the roster.
