The chance to play basketball and go to school about two hours from home led to Michala Johnson to leave UConn.

Johnson, who informed UConn coach Geno Auriemma and her teammates of her choice to transfer to Wisconsin at the end of the semester, talked publicly about the decision on Friday.

“I really missed my family and never really had a chance to see them,” said Johnson, who had 77 points and 76 rebounds in 56 career games at UConn.

An added bonus for Johnson, who will have two years of eligibility beginning in the 2013-14 season, will be the chance to play with her younger sister Malayna who will be a freshman at Wisconsin in 2013.

“We played together a little bit when I was a senior at high school and I am excited about it,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she met with Auriemma on Tuesday afternoon to tell him of her decision and then told her teammates individually.

“It was hard, there were a lot of tears shed,” Johnson said. “I am going to miss my teammates a lot especially the three (Stefanie Dolson, Lauren Engeln and Bria Hartley) I came in with."

I asked Michala what she'll remember most about the two years she was at UConn.

"Probably all the good times with my teammates," Johnson said. "We were together so often and we got along so well from day one."

Johnson has three weeks left at UConn and she is planning to enroll at Wisconsin for summer classes in June. She will be able to practice at Wisconsin during the upcoming season but won't be able to play for the Badgers until the 2013-14 season because of NCAA rule mandating transfers sit out one season.