Cornish confirms he’s leaving UNLV, will transfer to Cal

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, April 11, 2016 | 11:58 a.m.

Jordan Cornish will play college basketball for Cuonzo Martin, after all.

Cornish originally committed to play for Martin at the University of Tennessee out of high school, but was released from his commitment when Martin left to coach at Cal. That led Cornish to UNLV, where he played the past two seasons.

With the coaching change from Dave Rice (and Todd Simon) to Chris Beard at UNLV, the junior-to-be Cornish today announced he’s leaving Las Vegas for Cal. The 6-foot-6 guard’s intentions to transfer were reported last week.

“To my teammates who went to war with me thank you for being there through it all,” he wrote in a message today on Twitter. “You guys will forever have a brother in me.”

Cornish averaged 6.2 points per game last season for the Rebels, but his 3-point shooting average went from 48.7-percent as a freshman to 30.7-percent.

Beard, who was officially hired Friday, is left with just four players — rising senior Ben Carter (recovering from major knee surgery), freshman Jalen Poyser, Tyrell Green and walk-on Austin Starr.

To recap the departures :

Sophomore post Dwayne Morgan bolted first and is reportedly transferring closer to his native Baltimore. He is picking between Maryland VCU, Clemson and St. John’s, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN.

Stephen Zimmerman Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., Pat McCaw and Chris Obekpa, who red-shirted while transferring from St. John’s, each announced they are turning professional. Jones, though, didn't hire representation, and could — technically — still return.

Goodluck Okonoboh, who left the UNLV program a month into the past season, announced yesterday he also turning professional.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21