NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament-Northwestern vs Rutgers

Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Nigel Johnson (0) dribbles the ball as Northwestern Wildcats center Dererk Pardon (5) defends in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. The Wildcats won 83-61.

(Geoff Burke | USA TODAY Sports)

One day after its star play-maker, Corey Sanders, declared for the 2017 NBA Draft, Rutgers' second-leading scorer announced that he's leaving the program.

Nigel Johnson, a fourth-year junior guard who averaged 11.3 points in his lone season with the Scarlet Knights after transferring in from Kansas State, informed the coaching staff Friday that he intends to earn his undergraduate degree and transfer.

"We appreciate Nigel's contributions to our program,'' Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said in a statement after granting Johnson's release. "We support his decision and wish him the best in his future endeavors.''

After averaging just under 5 points-per-game in his two seasons at Kansas State, Johnson committed to Rutgers in April 2015. The Virginia native had ties to Eddie Jordan, having played for the former Rutgers basketball coach with D.C. Assault when Jordan piloted the Washington-area AAU program six years ago.

He was part of a 2015 recruiting class that included Sanders, guard-forward Jonathan Laurent, guard Justin Goode, forward Deshawn Freeman and forward Kejuan Johnson.

If Sanders elects to remain in the NBA Draft -- he has the option of returning to Rutgers since he didn't sign with an agent -- it's possible that only Freeman and Laurent will remain from Jordan's final recruiting class.

After sitting out the 2015-16 season per NCAA transfer rules, Johnson scored in double figures in 21 of his 33 games and produced back-to-back 21-point outings in the Scarlet Knights' two Big Ten Tournament games.

Johnson wasn't available for comment, but said on his Instagram account that he was grateful for his Rutgers experience.

"After much thought and consulting with my family, I've decided to graduate and transfer,'' Johnson wrote. "I am grateful for and appreciate the experiences I've had at Rutgers University. I will forever cherish the memories I shared with my teammates and coaches and all that we accomplished this season. Thank you to my coaches, teammates, the Riot Squad and the entire Rutgers community.''

Johnson's exit leaves Rutgers - which finished 15-18 overall and 3-15 in Big Ten play -- with one scholarship to fill after signing Geo Baker, a 6-foot-3 point guard out of Proctor Academy in New Hampshire, and securing a commitment from Souf Mensah, a 6-2 point guard out of Marshalltown Community College in Iowa.

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.