Larson leaving Florida basketball team

• Cody Larson, a redshirt sophomore, said he plans to stay in school this semester
• He was arrested for selling drugs in high school
• Larson's future with the Gators basketball team had been in doubt in the preseason

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida redshirt sophomore Cody Larson, who scored 12 points in his two years as a Gator, announced Friday that he is leaving the program. He will stay in school and finish the semester but his future beyond that has not been determined.

"After a lot of careful thought, I have decided that I need to place my focus on my personal life and my academics,'' the 6-foot-9 forward from Sioux Falls, S.D., said in a statement released by the school. "I really appreciate Coach (Billy) Donovan and the whole staff here at Florida for the support they have given me, and that made this decision even harder.''

Donovan had said at his preseason media event recently that Larson had not done the things necessary to make him comfortable that he was on the right path, a hint his future at Florida was in question.

Donovan pulled Larson's scholarship in the spring.

Larson's career started on a troubling note when he was arrested for selling hydrocodone, a misdemeator, and placed on probation while still in high school.

In April of 2011 he was arrested again for an incident at a St. Augustine bar and spent most of the offseason suspended. Last season he played in 25 games but averaged just over five minutes an outing.

"I know this was a difficult decision for Cody,'' Donovan said. "He has made great strides in his personal growth, and I'm very proud of him for that. All of us here wish him the best as he moves on from our team.''