Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PITTSBURGH’S Toney transferring to Arkansas.
Former Pittsburgh guard Au’Diese Toney publicly announced plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas on Thursday.
Toney, 6-6, 210 pounds, left the Pittsburgh program Feb. 25 to enter the NCAA transfer portal after reaching a mutual decision with Panthers Coach Jeff Capel. He was averaging 14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game before his departure.
He signed with the Hogs over reported interest from Texas A&M, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Arizona, Providence, Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Iowa State and other programs.
Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman’s resume — and that of his staff — along with the Razorbacks’ run to the Elite Eight, won over Toney.
“They’ve done a really good job with transfers and player development and they have an atmosphere of winning, and I want to be a part of that,” Toney said.
Musselman said he was thrilled about the addition of Toney to the program during his Zoom meeting with members of the media shortly after Toney’s announcement.
“He’s going to be an incredible piece for us moving forward. … Would consider him a position-less player,” Musselman said. “Those guys are so, so valuable. I’m ecstatic.
“He can knock down the three,. He’s a great transition player. Versatile guys in the 6-5 to 6-8 range, they’re valuable. I think he’s a great fit for us, and I think this is a great fit for him as a player as well.”
Toney started 25 of 31 games as a sophomore and averaged 9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field, 32.8% percent from threepoint range and 65.5% at the free-throw line.
As a freshman, he averaged 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds and started 28 of 32 games. He shot 36% from the field, 24.6% from three and 66.3% at the line.
Musselman’s success with transfers Caleb and Cody Martin at Nevada along with Justin Smith, Jalen Tate and JD Notae at Arkansas, helped with his decision.
“He did a really good job with the Martin twins when they came from NC State to Nevada,” Toney said. “They progressed a lot. He brought out a lot potential they didn’t know they had. Same way with the transfers that came in this year. They [Arkansas] made a tremendous jump development wise, and that’s why they were such a good team.”
Toney said he knew he was coming to Fayetteville about a week ago.
“I just kept watching games,” Toney said. “That just felt like home. Thats the place I want to be. The system perfectly fits with the style of play I like to play.”
Musselman’s energy and love for the game has impressed Toney.
“I love everything about Coach Muss,” he said. “He brings so much joy and excitement to the game. That’s what its all about.”
Toney is the first transfer to join the Razorbacks and Musselman this spring. Arkansas is actively recruiting several other transfers.
Musselman added transfers Abayomi Iyiola, Connor Vanover and Notae, along with graduate transfers Jimmy Whitt and Jeantal Cylla before his first season in Fayetteville. In 202, he signed three graduate transfers — Tate, Smith and Vance Jackson.