Nick Noskowiak leaving Iowa State men's team

AMES, Ia. – Everyone close to the Iowa State men’s basketball program figured there was a strong likelihood the career of heralded recruit Nick Noskowiak would be over before the fall semester even starts on Monday.

They were right.

Sometime after Friday afternoon’s men’s basketball press conference in Ames, the guard from Sun Prairie, Wis., informed coach Steve Prohm that he was leaving the team.

“I have decided to step away from the Iowa State men’s basketball program,” Noskowiak said in a press release issued Saturday morning by the school’s media relations department. “I wish coach Prohm, my former coaches, and teammates the best of luck in the future, and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me to be a part of their team.”

In a statement, Prohm said he learned of Noskowiak’s decision sometime after meeting with reporters.

“Nick informed us Friday night of his decision to step away from basketball, and we agree that it is in his best interest and the best interest of Iowa State for us to mutually part,” Prohm said in the statement, also released by Iowa State.

“We appreciate his effort when he was with us, and wish him and his family the best in the future.”

Noskowiak’s Iowa State future became cloudy when coaches learned last Thursday that he had been charged with an OWI in May, and that a felony charge for recklessly endangering safety of others was filed against him on Aug. 10.

The felony charge resulted in Noskowiak’s immediate suspension from the team.

Friday, Prohm told reporters he first learned of Noskowiak’s past legal issues while returning Thursday from Spain, where the Cyclones went 2-1 during a 10-day trip.

"Usually, you hear about it once something happens," Prohm said Friday. "Usually, you get wind of it, but we were in Spain, so it's all probably a little different because we were out of the country."

Noskowiak is facing other Wisconsin charges, including an unsafe lane change and damaging property. According to Wisconsin online court records, he was cited for refusing to take a test for intoxication after an arrest.

Noskowiak, a 6-foot-2 guard who can play the wing and the point, did not accompany Iowa State to Spain. Prohm said the rookie had family issues to attend to during a press conference three days before the team left the country.

This isn't the first time Noskowiak has dealt with off-the-court situations -- he missed 11 games last season as a high school senior because of family reasons.

Before being notified that Noskowiak was leaving the team on Friday, Prohm told reporters:

"Hopefully he can get all of his situations resolved and get better."