Fort Collins – Colorado State forward Michael Harrison will not return for his senior season because of family obligations, coach Dale Layer announced Wednesday.
When Harrison, the 6-foot-9 Northeastern Junior College transfer and graduate of Aurora Central, did not enroll for classes last week, it was not a total shock to the staff.
“Since the end of last season, Michael has unfortunately been dealing with a very serious personal issue related to his family,” Layer said Wednesday in a statement. “Members of our coaching staff and our athletic administration were in constant contact with Michael throughout the summer to offer him support and assistance.
“When classes began last week, Michael felt he could not fully commit the time and effort toward school and our program and has chosen to return home to support his family.”
Harrison was the team’s second-leading scorer (12.4 points per game) and rebounder (5.1) last season. Harrison started 30 of 31 games and ranked first in the Mountain West Conference in field-goal percentage at .623 (160-of-257), earning honorable mention All-MWC honors.
His ability to move quickly up the floor was instrumental in the Rams pushing the pace far more than previous years.
Layer said he felt worse for Harrison than for the immediate impact on the team. Layer said center Jason Smith could move to big forward with Stuart Creason taking over at center. It was a combination CSU often used when Harrison took a breather.
The Rams also have a late recruiting addition in 6-8 forward Xavier Kilby, who was recruited by CSU out of high school. He went to a Virginia prep school and then redshirted at a junior college.
Transfer guard Tyler Smith is in school and working through the judicial process at the school after he was picked up this summer on suspicion of marijuana possession while driving a car registered to the company owned by Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.
“There are things with the institution and with me he is continuing to make progress on,” Layer said.
