Former Vanderbilt basketball star says he’s transferring to Gonzaga

Eric McClellan, who led Vanderbilt in scoring last season before being dismissed from the team after 12 games, said he is transferring to Gonzaga.

The 6-foot-4 McClellan said in a phone interview Sunday he needs to complete two English classes and one economics class to earn his Associate of Arts degree and become eligible for the second half of the 2014-15 season, though he hopes to receive a waiver that would make him eligible immediately.

McClellan averaged 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a sophomore at Vanderbilt. He was initially suspended for the remainder of the season for violating university academic policy. He was booted off the team when a September arrest for theft came to the attention of the school, according to ESPN.com.

“I have a unique situation and past and story that everybody doesn’t go through,” McClellan said. “I’m not a perfect person, but I’m learning and growing and I have tremendous people in my life. I’ve made mistakes but I’ve learned from them.”

McClellan said numerous schools showed interest, including UNLV, UCLA, Missouri, Creighton, Florida State, but he only visited Gonzaga.

McClellan is the second guard to transfer to Gonzaga this year. USC wing Byron Wesley announced his transfer to GU in May.

McClellan, who is from Austin, Texas, played his freshman season at Tulsa, averaging 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He decided to transfer after Tulsa fired head coach Doug Wojcik.

“My strengths are utilizing my speed, my vision, my ability to make teammates better and my ability to guard multiple positions,” McClellan said.