Evan Smotrycz, Carlton Brundidge and Colton Christian leave Michigan basketball program
Evan Smotrycz (23) is one of three players leaving the Michigan basketball program, the school announced Wednesday. Backups Carlton Brundidge and Colton Christian are the others.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Update: Evan Smotrycz's mom says he 'wasn't happy,' holds no ill-will toward Michigan basketball program
Suddenly, the Michigan basketball team will look plenty different next season.
Michigan coach John Beilein announced Wednesday that three players -- sophomore forward Evan Smotrycz, freshman guard Carlton Brundidge and sophomore forward Colton Christian -- have all decided to transfer from the program.
"We never like to see players leave the program, however, Evan, Colton and Carlton have made the decision to transfer and continue their careers elsewhere," Beilein said in a statement. "All three are fine young men with bright futures. We wish them and their families nothing but success going forward."
Of the three players departing, Smotrycz is the biggest loss on paper.
Carlton Brundidge
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Colton Christian
The 6-foot-9, 230-pound Smotrycz appeared in 69 games over two seasons with the program, averaging seven points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
A big man with shooting touch from 3-point range, Smotrycz started 18 games for the Wolverines last season, averaging 7.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He also shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range, 48.1 percent from the floor and 77.6 percent from the foul line.
He was the team's fourth-leading scorer and it's second-leading rebounder, and had he returned next season, was a prime candidate to crack the starting lineup once again.
Brundidge, meanwhile, entered the program prior to last season as a four-star guard from Southfield High School, but never seemed to put it together on the court.
The 6-foot-1 Brundidge appeared in just 15 games for the Wolverines, totaling six points in only 44 minutes.
Christian played in 45 games as a reserve over two seasons, logging 3.8 minutes per game.
Michigan has three players signed for next season, five-star power forward Mitch McGary, four-star wing Glenn Robinson III and four-star guard Nik Stauskas.
The three departures now open three scholarships for the 2012-13 campaign.
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Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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