Ewing to leave IU after this semester

Eight days after Mike Davis was retained as head coach of the Hoosiers, the team's look has begun to change.\nSophomore Pat Ewing Jr. has decided to transfer from IU after the academic year, IU coach Mike Davis announced Wednesday.\nThe 6-foot-8 forward said he wants to go somewhere he can play more.\n"I've spent a lot of time with my family and given this decision a lot of thought, and I feel it is in my best interests to pursue my education and basketball career at another school," Ewing said in a statement. \nThis season Ewing averaged 4 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game and started five of the 29 games he played. He had a career high Feb. 12 against Minnesota with 15 points. \nEwing declined to comment Wednesday evening while playing a pickup basketball game at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation gymnasium. \nNext season the IU frontcourt will be stocked with bodies, as the Hoosiers will add three frontcourt players -- Auburn University transfer Marco Killingsworth and recruits Ben Allen and Joey Shaw -- in addition to having Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. White, classmate Robert Vaden, junior Sean Kline and freshman Lucas Steijn.\nDuring his freshman year, Ewing set his career high in rebounds with 12 and started in nine games of the 28 he played in. He finished the 2003-04 season averaging 2.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg.\nHis next school has not been announced. Ewing is the son of 11-time all-star Patrick Ewing, who starred at Georgetown, played for the New York Knicks and now is an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets.\nThe younger Ewing was best known for his athleticism and dunks that would electrify the Assembly Hall crowds.\n"Pat is an exceptional athlete with a lot of potential, and we're disappointed to see him go," Davis said. "We wish him nothing but the best."\nAccording to www.rivals.com, Ewing was offered scholarships to Texas, Georgetown and DePaul, in addition to IU, in 2003 when he was a senior at National Christian Academy in Maryland. The previous season, he played at Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga.\nEwing is the only member of his recruiting class remaining at IU, and he has experienced the Hoosiers' two NCAA Tournament-less seasons. Still, Ewing understands the history of playing at IU.\n"I would like to thank coach Davis for the chance to play at a storied program like Indiana," Ewing's statement read, "and I appreciate how coach Davis and the other coaches worked with me both on and off the court." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.