Buggs Completes Degree, Leaves Gopher Basketball Team

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Richard Pitino announced Tuesday that Charles Buggs will seek a transfer and play his final year of college basketball elsewhere.

Buggs earned his degree in May and has one year of eligibility left. He can transfer to another school without having to sit out as he pursues a graduate degree.

"It has been a pleasure to coach Charles over the past three years and see his continued development and growth as a basketball player and a person," Pitino said in a statement. "Charles has always represented the University with class and I am especially proud of him graduating. He has a bright future in basketball and life ahead of him, and will no doubt find success wherever he goes."

Buggs redshirted his freshman year and played three seasons for the Gophers. A 6-9 forward, Buggs averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game last season, playing in 28 games with 21 starts. He was the last remaining Gophers player recruited by previous coach Tubby Smith.

His departure could allow the Gophers to bring in another player before the start of next season. Minnesota's incoming class includes freshmen Amir Coffey, Michael Hurt and Eric Curry. Transfer Davonte Fitzgerald is now eligible to play, and transfer Reggie Lynch remains suspended pending the outcome of a sexual assault investigation.