Center Dwight Coleby says he's leaving Ole Miss

OXFORD -- Rumors that Dwight Coleby planned to transfer from Ole Miss had been swirling for about two weeks.

Late Tuesday night, the 6-foot-9 center confirmed them.

"Thank you Ole Miss for everything you have done for me," Coleby posted on Twitter. "Although I will be leaving, I will always be a (Rebel) deep down inside."

Coleby is a substantial loss for the Rebels, who lack front-court depth.

With the losses of big men Aaron Jones and M.J. Rhett from last year's NCAA Tournament team, Coleby figured to see a large increase in his minutes -- and maybe start.

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy confirmed Coleby has opted to leave Ole Miss on Wednesday afternoon.

"We appreciate Dwight's contributions to our program over the last two years and wish him well in the future," Kennedy said.

Last year, the former Dandy Dozen selection started just three games, but saw action in all 34 of Ole Miss' contests.

He averaged 16.5 minutes and 5.4 points per game.

The Rebels did land Liberty graduate transfer Tomasz Gielo on Monday, whose addition is made that much more important now with Coleby's departure official.

Gielo, a 6-foot-9 forward, will likely fill Rhett's role this season for Ole Miss. On paper, their strengths appear similar.

Gielo is an athletic forward. He ended his career with the Flames by finishing 10th in the Big South in rebounding, while shooting more than 40 percent from behind the arc and 77.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Geilo will be joined be Sebastian Saiz down low, who started 32 games a sophomore last year.

Other than those two, Anthony Perez is the only other option at forward/center that contributed somewhat last year. The 6-foot-9 rising senior played in 27 games, averaging 10.7 minutes, 2 rebounds and 2.6 points.

Contact Riley Blevins at rblevins@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @Riley_Blevins on Twitter.