Coach Tony Barbee granted a full release for transfer for Willy Kouassi and Bernard Morena on Monday afternoon. Kouassi had limited playing time early in the season, as he contended with Robb Chubb and Adrian Forbes, but was beginning to make his presence known at the end of the season. He had a solid performance against LSU in the final game of the regular season. Kouassi came off the bench to log 17 minutes, four points, three offensive rebounds and four defensive rebounds. Morena injured his hand early in the season and was redshirted. For statements from Coach Barbee on the transfer, please refer to the official story on the Auburn athletics website.
Kouassi and Morena excelled on the court and in the classroom during their high school careers at Central Park Christian in Birmingham. Kouassi averaged 14 points, 15 rebounds and 3.5 blocks his senior year and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. Morena averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.5 steals in his senior season and graduated valedictorian with a 4.15 GPA.
The two are expected to remain together, as they did at Auburn. We know that their next team will get a fierce Kouassi and a hungry Morena; we wish them well. War Damn Always and may Auburn always have a place in their hearts.