IU

Peter Jurkin leaves Indiana Hoosiers basketball team

Zach Osterman
zach.osterman@indystar.com
Thursday September 26th, 2013, IU Basketball media day. Photo of number 42, Peter Jurkin.

Junior center Peter Jurkin obtained his release from Indiana and will transfer, his AAU coach told The Star on Saturday.

A member of IU's touted 2012 basketball recruiting class, the 7-0 Jurkin struggled with injuries through most of his two seasons in Bloomington. He was also suspended for the first nine games of his freshman season by the NCAA for receiving impermissible benefits during his prep career.

Jurkin appeared in eight games last season, scoring two points and pulling down four rebounds.

"Peter has indicated his desire to try and find a program where he can get on the court more," coach Tom Crean said in a statement released by the school. "He has had an uphill battle healthwise since he arrived. He believes he can get to a point where he can contribute at a level greater than what he is able to do here. Our priority is that he can obtain his education and he always is welcome to do that and be part of our program at IU."

"I want to thank coach Crean and everyone on the staff for helping me through my injuries and the death of my father," Jurkin said in the statement. "I will always consider myself a Hoosier and think it is best if I look at another opportunity to pursue my education and continuing my playing career. Physically, I still have work to do but will hopefully be up to the challenge."

Health concerns limited Jurkin's minutes. Crean consistently referred to an unspecified leg injury suffered in high school that continued to plague Jurkin.

"He's never been in any type of consistent health situation since he's been here," Crean said earlier in June. "Is he gonna play, or is he not? That's really what it's coming down to. We're in year three now. He's a great kid and we want him to be successful, but you've got to be healthy."

Mark Adams, Jurkin's AAU coach, told The Star he wasn't sure whether Jurkin's release came with any transfer restrictions in his release, but that the center didn't mention any.

IU is down to 11 scholarship players, and just two members — Yogi Ferrell and Hanner Mosquera-Perea — of that 2012 recruiting class that was considered among the nation's best at the time. Jeremy Hollowell (Lawrence Central) transferred to Georgia State, and Ron Patterson (Broad Ripple) plays at Syracuse.