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Dismissed Marshall forward TyQuane Goard cleared to play at WVU

TyQuane Goard (21) played in 31 games for Marshall during the 2013-14 season before being dismissed the following October by new coach Dan D’Antoni.

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Seeking frontline help as Brandon Watkins recovers from knee surgery, West Virginia added Marshall graduate transfer TyQuane Goard.

WVU announced Friday that the NCAA approved the Charleston native’s transfer waiver, making him eligible to play his final season in Morgantown.

Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni dismissed Goard before last season, citing a violation of team rules, and in June reportedly blocked the 6-foot-7 forward’s transfer to West Virginia.

In a statement accompanying Friday’s release, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said Goard was enrolled and would accompany the Mountaineers on next month’s exhibition trip to the Bahamas.

Watkins hasn’t officially been ruled out for next season, but Huggins has suggested the 6-9 junior might face a medical redshirt.

“With the injury to Brandon Watkins, TyQuane adds much-needed depth and athleticism,” Huggins said. “His athleticism and skill set are well suited to our style of play.”

In 2011, after carrying George Washington High to the West Virginia Class AAA state title, Goard began his career at Ohio. He played sparingly in one season for the Bobcats—averaging 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds—before transferring to Marshall, where he sat out the 2012-13 season.

During 2013-14, Goard posted 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game and produced one of his best performances in a 74-64 loss to West Virginia.

Though he has started only 16 of 62 games in college career, Goard could deliver useful minutes in the Mountaineers’ deep rotation. He shot 53 percent at Marshall and produced a career-high 21 points and 13 rebounds against Arkansas State.

In a Facebook post during May, Goard denied speculation he was dismissed by D’Antoni for failed drug tests and academic slacking.

“The things people say about me on the message boards are crazy,” according to his Facebook post.

Goard graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and plans to pursue a master’s degree in athletic coaching education, WVU announced.