A Brief but Quiet Exit from the Mountaineers
Evans Barning Jr., a redshirt freshman forward who had been listed on West Virginia University’s 2025‑26 roster, announced his departure from the program earlier this week. The move comes after the player signed a letter of intent with Navarro College, effectively ending his short‑lived affiliation with the Mountaineers.
Barning arrived on campus after a standout prep career at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., where he posted averages of 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a senior. His most memorable performances included a 20‑point, 11‑rebound effort against Concordia Prep and a 17‑point, 15‑rebound showing versus Neumann Goretti, numbers that had earned him a spot on the WVU bench.
Although he redshirted his freshman year, Barning never saw action for the Mountaineers, a fact that was underscored when he missed the team’s trip to the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas in April 2024. Reports indicated that he had already begun exploring the NCAA Transfer Portal, a decision that culminated in his commitment to Navarro College.
His exit marks the final piece of the 2025‑26 roster puzzle, leaving the program with a reshaped lineup that now features returning players such as Miles Sadler, Amir Jenkins and Seydou Traore. While the Mountaineers will look to fill the void left by Barning’s departure, the move also signals a new chapter for the young forward, who will now aim to develop his game at Navarro College.