Recker latest to bolt from Indiana hoops

The 6-foot-6 sophomore swingman is the third Hoosiers starter to leave in the past two years.

"This is the toughest decision I have ever made," Recker said in a faxed statement. "I love the state of Indiana, and playing for IU was always my lifelong dream."

Recker had given coach Bob Knight one of his earliest commitments, saying even before his junior year at DeKalb High School that he would play for the Hoosiers. He started 30 of 32 games and averaged 12.8 points a game as a freshman, then started 33 of 34 games last season, averaging 16.1 points a game.

AP PHOTO Indiana forward Luke Recker becomes the third starter in two years to transfer from coach Bobby Knight's Hoosiers. Recker has yet to announce what school he will transfer to.

The former Indiana high school Mr. Basketball, who played both guard and forward for the Hoosiers, said he has not decided where he will transfer. He will have to sit out one season and then have two years of eligibility remaining.

"It is not easy to leave my friends, my family and my home state," Recker said. "I love to play basketball, and the thought of sitting out a year kills me."

Guard Neil Reed left Indiana after the 1997 season, accusing Knight of physical and verbal abuse, and later enrolled at Southern Mississippi, where his father is an assistant coach. In December 1997, center Jason Collier quit the team, saying he no longer could take Knight's constant criticism, and enrolled at Georgia Tech, where his father played in the1970s.

Recker, however, indicated his decision was not because of Knight.

"I appreciate the opportunity given to me by coach Knight," he said.

"However, I have not been satisfied with my development as a player. I blame no one but myself for this and believe my development will best be served in another program."

Rumors that Recker was considering a transfer began to pick up during a slump in his play in January. He was held to a single point in a loss to Michigan State and didn't start the next game, when he managed only seven points off the bench in an overtime loss at Minnesota. Knight didn't say why Recker did not start, although earlier in the Big Ten season he benched Recker because of his defensive lapses.

Knight was out of town on a fishing trip and could not be reached for comment. Team spokesman Gregg Elkin said he had no indication Recker was planning to leave.

"There are rumors every year about somebody," Elkin said. "He had been going through our off-season conditioning program, and if you're going to transfer, why do that?"

04-15-99