Chaney transferring to Va. Tech

Former Florida forward Allan Chaney confirmed Tuesday night that he's going to transfer to Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Chaney left Florida last April after his freshman season due to playing time issues. Chaney was suspended for the final two games of the season after insubordination issues with Florida strength and conditioning coach Matt Herring and UF coach Billy Donovan.

"Everything doesn't always work out," Chaney said. "I would never speak bad about the school, the coaches. I do feel like I kinda wasted a year, though."

Chaney, who averaged 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds, said he never got an explanation why he didn't play more after scoring a season-high 13 points in an early season start against Washington. But Donovan said he was up front with Chaney about conditioning issues which limited his playing time once Southeastern Conference play began. Chaney also missed much of February and March with heel and ankle injuries.

"He had some challenges in practice daily with his conditioning, with pushing through things," Donovan said. "He felt like he was working and doing the things he needed to do and they weren't at the level they needed to be at."

Chaney said he's looking forward to a fresh start at Virginia Tech. He chose the Hokies over St. Joe's and Temple. All three schools were close to Baltimore, where his mother lives.

"The thing that's going to help out is being closer to home," Chaney said.

Chaney said he chose Virginia Tech because of the campus and coaching staff. Virginia Tech went 19-15 last season under coach Seth Greenberg, losing to Baylor in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Also, close friend and Baltimore native Malcolm Delaney is a sophomore guard with the Hokies.

"I've been talking to him a little bit before I committed," Chaney said. "I really felt like I could trust everyone at the school and I felt like I could trust coach Greenberg."

Chaney said he didn't get any assurances whether he would play small forward or power forward at Virginia Tech. He filled both roles during his freshman season at Florida.

"Coach Greenberg, he said he just views me as a basketball player," Chaney said. "He's looking at me to have some opportunities to face up, shoot (3-pointers). The way they use their forwards, there are also going to be some opportunities to get some 3s in transition. Coach says he'll stand by me. He just wants me to work hard and get better."

Under NCAA Division I transfer rules, Chaney will have to sit out next season. Virginia Tech spokesman Bill Dyer would not confirm or deny the transfer Tuesday, labeling Chaney as still "a recruitable athlete."