Capobianco will leave men's basketball program

Forward Bobby Capobianco is leaving the IU men’s basketball team.
The rising junior announced his intention to seek a transfer Friday in a statement from IU Athletics.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Indiana, but I want to look for an opportunity to further my basketball and academic career at another institution,” Capobianco said in the statement. “I value the experience that I have had here and appreciate everything the coaches and basketball staff have done for me.

“I am looking forward to this new chapter, and will always have very strong feelings for my teammates, coaches and everyone associated with IU.”

The Loveland, Ohio native spent two seasons with the Hoosiers as a member of IU coach Tom Crean’s 2009 recruiting class.

“Bobby has decided to go for a fresh start and transfer to a school where he can have three years to play two,” Crean said in the statement. “He has indicated he would like the opportunity to find a program where he can get more playing time and continue his education.

“We will help him accomplish this move in any way we can, and we all really want to see Bobby be successful.”

Capobianco’s production declined from his freshman season to his sophomore year. He averaged just more than six minutes and a mere point per game in 2010-11 after seeing 11.9 average minutes of action in his initial campaign in Bloomington.

With Capobianco’s departure, a scholarship spot will become available for Crean. IU recently signed Louisville-based guard Remy Abell as the third member of its 2011 recruiting class, meaning one or more current players would have had to transfer in order for the team to have room to sign a 2012 target such as Hamilton Southeastern guard Gary Harris or Brewster Academy (N.H.) forward Mitch McGary.

Capobianco made such a decision, but he did not make it without well wishes from Crean. 

“My hope is that he finds a school like Indiana that puts a prominent emphasis in academics as it does in basketball, as he has done an excellent job here in the classroom,” Crean said. “He will be an asset to whatever program he chooses and we wish him the best as he moves to this next stage in life.”

— Drew Allen