USD big man Yauhen Massalski, who had a year left of eligibility, puts his name into transfer portal.

A high-scoring guard is headed to USD while the Toreros’ most notable big man is exiting.

Jace Townsend, who averaged 19.2 points last season at the University of Denver, announced Monday on Twitter he’s transferring to USD.

Meanwhile, 6-foot-10 forward Yauhen Massalski, who played four years at USD but had one more season of eligibility after the NCAA granted players an extra year, said he has entered the transfer portal.

“It’s been a great four years and I’m just ready for a new challenge,” said Massalski.

According to verbalcommits.com, three other Toreros have entered the portal — guard Marion Humphrey, plus forwards Jared Rodriguez and Mikal Gjerde. Those players leaving would not be considered a surprise.

Massalski’s departure, though, will turn some heads. The Belarusian showed promise his first two seasons, averaging 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds as a freshman, then 6.7 and 5.7 as a sophomore.

But after being impacted by foot injuries as a junior and COVID-19 issues this season, he never fully developed into the player the coaching staff envisioned, despite scoring a career-high 30 points against Pepperdine in the regular season finale.

When Massalski was sidelined for a stretch this season, his replacement, Vladimir Pinchuk, scored in double figures in five straight games.

In a 3-11 season marred by multiple COVID-19 protocols, Massalski started just five games, averaging 9.3 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Massalski said he’ll likely transfer to a West Coast Conference rival.

Townsend is expected to fill USD’s biggest need as a legitimate scorer. The Toreros ranked 281st in the nation in scoring (66.2 points). Townsend, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, averaged 16.9 as a sophomore and 19.2 points this season. In two games against Oral Roberts, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, Townsend scored 27 and 35 points.

Denver was 2-19 and Townsend decided to leave after head coach Rodney Billups was fired.

Townsend said the main reason he picked USD “was the genuine love I felt from their coaching staff. I felt I was wanted and I could go there and have an impact.”

USD has already added two transfers, point guard Bryce Murphy from Sam Houston State, and Pitt graduate transfer center Terrell Brown.