Indiana Hoosiers' big man Peter Jurkin to transfer from program

Indiana Hoosiers’ big man Peter Jurkin to transfer from program

Mar 27, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Peter Jurkin (42) dribbles the ball up the court during practice the day before the semifinals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana Hoosiers big man Peter Jurkin will transfer from the school’s basketball program after obtaining his release from the university, reports Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star.

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A member of the Hoosiers’ well-regarded 2012 recruiting class, Jurkin played sparingly during his first two years in Bloomington. Ongoing leg injuries were a big part of that, and the seven-footer could never find consistent opportunities in Tom Crean’s rotation as a result of his frequent absences.

He was also suspended for the first nine games of his freshman year by the NCAA for receiving impermissible benefits while in high school, so it’s fair to say that his time in Indiana did not go well.

Entering his junior season, things weren’t necessarily looking brighter for Jurkin in Indiana. While some pretty big names have moved on from the Hoosiers’ frontcourt depth chart in recent years, including NBA lottery picks Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh, Jurkin wasn’t expected to play a major role in 2014-15.

So rather than keep hoping things will work out in Bloomington, Jurkin is moving on. Crean released a statement on the matter, wishing his former player the best:

"“Peter has indicated his desire to try and find a program where he can get on the court more,” coach Tom Crean said in a statement released by the school. “He has had an uphill battle health-wise since he arrived. He believes he can get to a point where he can contribute at a level greater than what he is able to do here. Our priority is that he can obtain his education and he always is welcome to do that and be part of our program at IU.”"

With the move, Indiana’s third transfer of the offseason, Crean now has just 11 scholarship players for next season. It’s unclear what kind of transfer restrictions might apply to Jurkin at this point, but he may be forced to sit out the 2014-15 season in order to retain his final two years of eligibility.