OK, so here’s the latest from a revolving-door day for Virginia Tech basketball: Tech announced tonight that sophomore point guard Hank Thorns has been granted a release from his scholarship. His depature clears a spot for forward Allan Chaney, who is transferring from Florida but won’t be eligible until 2010-11.

This also means that one of Tech’s incoming freshman guards—Erick Green or Ben Boggs—better be ready to contribute immediately. Green is a pure point while Boggs is more of a combo guard. In addition to Green and Boggs, the Hokies’ scholarship guards next season will be junior Dorenzo Hudson (who is more of a wing or shooting guard) and junior Malcolm Delaney (the starting point guard the past two seasons, who is probably more effective playing off the ball).

Here now is the updated story for tomorrow’s print edition ...

Virginia Tech’s basketball team has received a commitment from Allan Chaney, a 6-8, 231-pound forward who played sparingly as a freshman last season at Florida. Chaney, who is from Baltimore, will be on scholarship next season while sitting out under NCAA transfer rules. He will be eligible to play as a redshirt sophomore in 2010-11.

Later yesterday Tech announced that sophomore point guard Hank Thorns has decided to transfer. His departure frees a scholarship for Chaney. With Thorns leaving and Chaney coming, the Hokies are on track to have an NCAA-maximum 13 scholarship players next season.

Thorns was a late addition to the 2007 signing class after Nigel Munson decided to transfer. Thorns backed up Malcolm Delaney, starting in 15 of the 65 games he played, and averaging 20.1 minutes, 3.7 points and 2.8 assists.

“I want to find a situation that will allow me to have a greater role,“ Thorns said in Tech’s release.

Said Tech head coach Seth Greenberg: “Hank has been a tremendous asset to the program. We appreciate all he has done on and off the court as a student, a leader and as a teammate. We wish him well in all his future endeavors.”

Greenberg cannot publicly comment on Chaney until he signs a national letter of intent.

Chaney played in 23 of Florida’s 36 games last season, averaging 9.8 minutes, three points and 2.1 rebounds. His playing time was limited during the second half of the season because of a sprained arch in his left heel.

Gators coach Billy Donovan said March 20 that he was suspending Chaney for the rest of the season, which amounted to one more game, a loss to Penn State in the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals. Donovan did not give a reason for the suspension. “First of all he’s injured, so he couldn’t play anyway,“ Donovan told reporters at the time. “It’s just other things that I dealt with.“

Florida announced April 10 that Chaney was transferring. “Allan, his family and I have spoken and we have mutually decided that he will be transferring from the University of Florida,“ Donovan said in a statement.

Hokies grant Thorns release from scholarship, now scheduled to have NCAA-max 13 scholarship players next season.