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Gonzaga Basketball

Ex-Zag Ryan Edwards transferring to Portland State

Gonzaga center Ryan Edwards hits a shot over South Dakota’s Dan Jech in a December 2016 game at McCarthey Athletic Center. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

Former Gonzaga reserve center Ryan Edwards has changed his mind and will play his senior season instead of searching for a job.

Edwards confirmed in a text message that he is transferring to Portland State. He will be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer. Edwards will become the tallest player in PSU history.

Edwards said in April he planned to skip his senior season and start working after completing his broadcasting degree.

“Just wanted to give it another chance somewhere else,” Edwards texted.

The Vikings finished 15-16 last season, 7-11 in the Big Sky Conference. They return 6-foot-8 Traylin Farris, who started 22 games at center last year, and senior Namdi Okonkwo, a 7-0, 205-pounder who redshirted last season.

Edwards, a 7-foot-1, 295-pound center from Kalispell, played a career-low 48 minutes in 17 games last season as a redshirt junior. He averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 31 games as a sophomore.

“We are excited to have Ryan in our basketball family here,” PSU coach Barret Peery said in a release. “He obviously brings with him a great basketball experience which we expect to translate into good things at Portland State.”

Edwards is the third Zag from last season to exit as a graduate transfer. Walk-on guard Dustin Triano will play for Western Oregon and back-up wing Bryan Alberts said Saturday he hasn’t decided between Virginia Commonwealth, Long Beach State and Weber State.