Staff Report

UK sophomore guard Derrick Jasper, citing a desire to play closer to home, has asked for a release from the Cats so he can transfer, UK athletics announced Saturday. The 6-foot-6 inch native from Paso Robles, Calif., has played two seasons with UK.

“The decision to transfer is in no way an indication of my experience playing for UK,” Jasper said in a news release.

“I feel at this point in my life it is important for me to be close to my family,” he said. “I intend to transfer to a school closer to the West Coast where I can see my family more often and they can see me play.”

On May 10, head coach Billy Gillispie announced during a news conference that Jasper intended to transfer from UK, but at the time it had not been finalized.

“It’s a disappointment to lose Derrick, who was fantastic for us both as a person and a basketball player,” Gillispie said in the Saturday news release. “He had to battle through some injuries, but he was always willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.”

Jasper missed the first 10 games of this season while recovering from microfracture knee surgery. In the 20 games he did play, Jasper averaged 4.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg.

As a freshman, Jasper started 27 games while averaging 3.9 ppg and 3.6 rpg.

“I appreciate that Derrick was patient and took his time to make certain that this decision was what he felt was best for his future,” Gillispie said. “We wish him all the best. Where ever he decides to attend will begetting an outstanding player who takes his academics very seriously.”

Both Jasper and Gillispie are out of town and a news conference has not been scheduled, said UK athletics spokesman Scott Striklin in an e-mail.