By Scott Miller
scott-t-miller@uiowa.edu
In one afternoon, the Iowa men’s basketball program has had a recruit decommit, and a current player announce his departure.
Iowa basketball signee Cody Larson has been released from his letter of intent by new coach Fran McCaffery, UI assistant sports information director Matt Weitzel confirmed Friday afternoon. McCaffery later confirmed this in a release sent out on Friday.
“He’s reopening his search,” Weitzel said of Larson, the No. 85 recruit in the country according to Prep Stars Recruiters Handbook.
By “reopening his search,” Larson is simply weighing his options, Weitzel said, which includes offers from NCAA Tournament teams such as Baylor and New Mexico. The 6-9 power forward was one of four members of Iowa’s highly regarded recruiting class.
Zach McCabe, the lone Iowan in the Hawkeyes’ 2010 class, said in an interview with The Daily Iowan he was sticking with his commitment. On April 1, Devyn Marble, another Iowa signee, said, “Right now, I’m still leaning toward being a Hawkeye.”
McCaffery has spent the weeks since his hiring trying to “re-recruit” the Hawkeyes’ prospects. Larson’s release from his letter of intent brings more uncertainty to the shape of Iowa’s 2010 roster.
“Cody would like additional time to familiarize himself with myself and the new coaching staff,” McCaffery said in the release. “As a staff, we look forward to getting to know Cody more in the recruiting process.”
The bigger bombshell came when multiple sources confirmed to *The Daily Iowan* that sophomore Aaron Fuller will transfer at the end of the spring semester. As with Larson, McCaffery confirmed Fuller’s imminent departure in the same release sent out Friday.
Fuller, who was rumored to be transferring before Iowa fired former head coach Todd Lickliter, led the Hawkeyes last season, averaged 9.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for Iowa during the 2009-10 campaign. In Big Ten, he led the Hawkeyes in scoring, and had a 30-point effort in a 80-78 overtime loss to Michigan on Feb. 16.
Fuller could not be reached for further comment.
“Aaron Fuller has asked and been granted a release from his scholarship,” McCaffery said. “Aaron expressed his desire to move closer to home and his family. We support Aaron on his decision and wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.
“Aaron accomplished some great things while wearing a Hawkeye uniform and the Iowa basketball program appreciates his hard work and effort.”
Be sure to read Monday’s edition of *The Daily Iowan* for further coverage.
*DI* reporter Brendan Stiles contributed to this report.
