STARKVILLE — After two seasons as a seldom-used backup, John Riek is no longer part of the Mississippi State basketball program.
A team spokesman confirmed Tuesday that Riek, a 7-foot-2 center from Sudan, won”t return for his junior season. He is expected to transfer.
Riek”s departure leaves one open scholarship for coach Rick Stansbury, who welcomed five freshman into the program this summer. Riek, who was enrolled for the first summer semester at MSU, wasn”t enrolled for the start of the second summer term Tuesday.
Riek averaged 5.1 minutes per game last season and saw action in 14 games. He averaged 1.2 points and 1.3 points.
Riek, a fan favorite, was mainly used as the third option at center behind starter Renardo Sidney and Wendell Lewis. He played in 25 games and averaged 1.2 points.
Riek is the third player to transfer from MSU since January, joining Elgin Bailey and Twany Beckham.
The much-traveled center, at one time a five-star recruit, originally committed to the University of Cincinnati before attending two prep schools.
Before committing to Cincinnati, Riek declared for the NBA draft before withdrawing his name.
Riek had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2008 and struggled to regain the explosiveness that saw him rated as blue-chip center.
The Bulldogs will enter the 2011-12 season with Sidney and Lewis at center and former University of Texas-El Paso standout Arnett Moultrie, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, at forward. Freshmen Shawn Long and Roquez Johnson round out the front court.
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