Valparaiso University men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced that Oumar Sylla has been granted a release from his commitment to the University and the basketball program.

A 6'6" forward from Mali, Sylla averaged 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 30 games as a freshman, including 20 as a starter. Sylla played three years of high school basketball at Our Savior New American on Long Island, N.Y.

?Oumar has expressed a desire to return to the East Coast in order to explore possibilities of attending a school in that area," Drew said.

?We will miss Oumar as he was an integral part of our program, but we want to wish him well."