Former Tech forward Xavian Stapleton is transferring to Mississippi State

The multiple week saga between Louisiana Tech and Xavian Stapleton's transfer has finally come to an end.

The former Tech forward committed to Mississippi State on Sunday less than a week after Tech reduced the restrictions on his transfer. Tech originally barred Stapleton from transferring to 55 schools before it trimmed the list last Monday. Stapleton officially signed with Mississippi State on Wednesday.

As part of the new guidelines, Stapleton could transfer to any school not in Conference USA, on Tech's 2016 schedule, the state of Louisiana or the University of Florida, which opened up a move to Mississippi State. The original release included any school in the state of Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.

The Mississippi native previously visited Alabama and Iowa State and was at Mississippi State this weekend.

"Although we wish Xavian would have given (new Tech) coach (Eric) Konkol and staff a chance to prove they could help him reach his athletic and academic goals, we are glad that he is going to continue his education," Tech athletic director Tommy McClelland said Sunday in a statement to The News-Star. "We wish him the absolute best in basketball and his educational pursuits."

McClelland declined to answer any additional questions regarding Stapleton's transfer.

CBSSports.com first reported Stapleton's transfer Sunday.

Stapleton, who averaged 6.7 points per game as a freshman, received his release June 17. On June 26, he responded to Tech's restrictions with a list of schools he was interested in transferring to. Tech responded back June 29 by lifting the three-state restriction.

Stapleton's status at Tech was in doubt before Konkol was hired May 18. He later cited personal reasons and instability within the Bulldogs' program as reasons for his departure, although he mentioned his future as a pro when discussing Sunday's commitment.

"It's close to home and I'm a Mississippi guy," Stapleton told The Clarion-Ledger. "Coach (Ben) Howland seems like he's a great coach and he's put a great number of players in the NBA and they're still competing in the NBA. I think he can help me achieve my dreams of becoming an NBA player."

Stapleton's departure is the fifth roster move this offseason for Tech. Before former Tech coach Mike White left for Florida, forward Leo Edwards transferred and 2015 signee Dominic Jackson announced he will play at LSU-Alexandria.

Once White left, Justin Leon and Jermaine Ruttley, two additional members of Tech's signing class, left for Florida and Arkansas-Little Rock, respectively.