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Boise State sophomore point guard Paris Austin has received his release from the university, Scout’s Evan Daniels reported Thursday morning.
Sophomore guard Paris Austin just received a release from Boise State, per a source. Averaged 12.3 PPG.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) May 11, 2017
Austin averaged a career-high 12.3 points per game last season, finishing as the second-leading scorer behind Chandler Hutchison. He also improved his per-game averages for rebounds (1.5 to 3.3), assists (1.2 to 2.8) and minutes (12.3 to 28.5). His shooting effectiveness saw a dramatic increase, going from 39.8% from the field his freshman year to 49.1%.
Austin’s decision to leave would create a tremendous hole to fill at the point guard position. The former four-star guard and the highest-rated recruit in school history by some recruiting services was expected to guide the Broncos as an upperclassman. Instead, coach Leon Rice will likely look to his underclassmen that came in as anticipated 2-guards.
Cameron Christon, a 6-5 guard from Allen, Texas, is the only backcourt commit for Boise State this offseason. Assuming Christon signs, Rice will be left with two open scholarships for the 2016-17 season.
By receiving a release, Austin is able to transfer to any university of his choice for the remainder of his collegiate career. He will have to sit out the 2016-17 season before he regains his NCAA eligibility if he decides to leave Boise State.