AMES, Iowa (AP) — Last summer, Iowa State coach Greg McDermott called forward Wesley Johnson the face of the program. But Johnson shocked McDermott over the weekend by telling him he intends to transfer, dealing a serious blow to McDermott’s efforts to rebuild.

A member of Johnson’s family told McDermott of his plans last Thursday night, according to school officials. McDermott flew to Johnson’s hometown in Corsicana, Texas on Saturday to discuss the matter. McDermott says he explained to Johnson how challenging a mid-career transfer can be, but Johnson had already made up his mind.

Johnson averaged 12.4 points per game as a sophomore in 2007-08, tied for best on the team. Johnson will have to sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules.

He’ll have two years of eligibility left, and there is little doubt that coaches around the country will be lining up to vie for his services.

“It’s a setback for our team,” McDermott said in statement released by the school on Monday. “I wish Wesley well, but my energies will be directed to the players committed to Cyclone basketball.”

The loss of Johnson, one of the Big 12’s most talented young players, is a setback for the Cyclones.

Johnson was lightly recruited out of high school but he blossomed at Iowa State, earning Big 12 All-Freshman team honors in 2006-07. He battled through a stress fracture in his foot last season that severely limited his mobility and athleticism, but he was still one of Iowa State’s top scoring threats.

Iowa State would have built their team around a healthy Johnson and forward Craig Brackins next season. Those plans are now out the window.

“He certainly was a great fit for our program during his healthy freshman season and there’s no doubt the injury this year affected him a great deal physically,” McDermott said.

Iowa State will have just two starters — Brackins and point guard Bryan Petersen — back from last year’s 14-18 team. The Cyclones will also return guards Diante Garrett, Carlos Boozer, Cameron Lee, Sean Haluska and Lucca Staiger and forward Alex Thompson.

McDermott has signed seven new players for next season. Johnson’s absence increases the likelihood that some of those players will be pressed into action immediately.

This isn’t the first time McDermott has had to deal with player turnover. The program lost a number of talented youngsters, including Shawn Taggart, Tasheed Carr and Farnold Degand, shortly before McDermott took over in 2006. Guard Mike Taylor was booted off the team last summer after a series of legal issues, and guards Dodie Dunson and Corey McIntosh left the program before the start of last season.

Forward Clayton Vette and guard Marcus Brister left the program during the 2007-08 season, and reserve Cory Johnson recently announced that he’s transferring to Valparaiso.

That instability has been a major reason why McDermott hasn’t put together a winning season at Iowa State after leading Northern Iowa to three straight NCAA tournament appearances.