Zags lose forward

Larry Gurganious, who saw limited playing time during two seasons with the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, is transferring, likely to a school closer to his family in Oakland, Calif.

“It’s really tough to leave,” Gurganious said in a phone interview. “That’s been my home for the last three years of my life and I really embraced everything that was going on there. I had a great time. I have no regrets at all. It’s just some (family) stuff I have to deal with.”

Gurganious said he is considering several options, including NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NAIA schools in California. He mentioned several Big West schools, including UC Riverside, UC Davis and UC Irvine, as possibilities.

“I think he just feels like he needs to be closer to his family at this time,” GU associate head coach Leon Rice said.

Gurganious played in 31 games in 2005-06, averaging 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds. He sat out the 2006-07 season with a back injury that some initially feared might end his career, but he returned last season to average 11.2 minutes in 26 games. The athletic 6-foot-5 sophomore, who averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds, scored a career-high 12 points in the season-opening win over Montana.

Gurganious, regarded as a defensive stopper, saw considerable time early last season. His playing time diminished as the year went on and Gonzaga essentially returns everybody at Gurganious’ small forward position.

Playing time wasn’t the deciding factor, Gurganious said.

“That’s a factor for any player, but it’s not the sole reason,” he said. “It’s mostly stuff outside of school, mostly home stuff.”

He declined to elaborate.

If Gurganious transfers to another D-I school, he would have to sit out next season under NCAA rules and would have just one season of eligibility. Gurganious is in the process of applying for a hardship waiver with the NCAA in an attempt to become eligible immediately.

He said he’d like to continue his career in Division I, but that could depend on a ruling on his waiver.

“I’m taking the process slow,” Gurganious said. “I want to make sure the next move is the best move for me. And the (waiver) is another big thing.”

Gurganious averaged 22.5 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at St. Mary’s High in Berkeley, Calif., earning a spot on the Long Beach Press-Telegram’s Best in the West team.