MILWAUKEE — Sophomore forward Juan Anderson has been granted his release and will transfer from Marquette, the school announced Monday.
Anderson is the third member of last season's Elite Eight team to announce intentions to transfer from the program, as guards Jake Thomas and Jamal Ferguson already have been granted their release from the school.
Starting 31 of Marquette's 35 games last season, Anderson's decision to transfer comes as the biggest surprise, but the Oakland, Calif. native wants to play basketball closer to home.
"I really enjoyed my time here and learned a lot that will be beneficial to my life after basketball," Anderson said in a statement. "My family is very important to me and moving closer to them is something I need to do at this time."
According to Scout.com, Anderson was a four-star recruit out of high school and chose Marquette over Arizona State, California and Oregon.
Anderson averaged 4.5 minutes in 24 games his freshman season, averaging 0.7 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. As a sophomore this past season, Anderson appeared in all 35 games and started all but four, but played just 13.0 minutes per game, averaging 2.7 points and 2.9 rebounds.
The long, lanky and athletic forward would start the game but would be subbed out for Jamil Wilson pretty quickly. Anderson showed his talent of the course of last season, but he also made clear he had a ways to go to become a consistent Big East player.
"We are incredibly grateful for all that Juan has done here on and off the floor during his tenure," Marquette coach Buzz Williams said. "Because of family reasons, he feels like it is important to get back closer to home in order to help support his family. We wish him all the best, and will cheer for him from Milwaukee."
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