Staff Report
The UNM men's basketball team will be looking to fill an empty roster spot after one of last year's players decided not to return for the 2006-07 season.
Blake Harden, who spent the last two seasons as a guard and forward with the Lobos, has decided not to return to the team. UNM head coach Ritchie McKay said in a news release sent out Tuesday that Harden will leave the team in order to focus on academics.
"I am very appreciative of the hard work Blake has put in to our program over the last two seasons," McKay said. "He has decided to concentrate on his studies, and we respect his decision and wish him well. I know that he will be successful in any and all of his future endeavors."
Harden started 10 games last season and made 28 appearances. In that time, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. He started the first seven games of the 2005-06 season and scored in double figures twice. Harden suffered a shoulder injury on March 4, but he is almost fully healthy, according to the release.
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In the release, Harden said school is the reason for his departure.
"I have decided to concentrate on my education and therefore will not be back on the Lobo men's basketball team in the fall," Harden said. "I would like to thank my teammates and coaches for the great experiences I have enjoyed over the last two years."
Harden, a graduate of Hope Christian High School, joined the UNM basketball program in 2004 after a year at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. He played in 50 games as a Lobo, averaging 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. Harden, who will begin his fourth year of college at UNM this fall, is planning to graduate in May with a business degree in entrepreneurial studies.
