UNC's Stepheson to transfer

CHAPEL HILL -- UNC forward Alex Stepheson will transfer from UNC to a school closer to home in California to deal with family health issues, the university announced Friday.

Stepheson, from Los Angeles, averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore, appearing in 37 of the Heels' 39 games. He missed two games in January to tend to his ailing father, Art, who has a heart-related health issues.

“My family is dealing with some health challenges at this time and as a result I have made the decision to transfer to be closer to home,” Stepheson said in a statement released by the school.

The school did not indicate where Stepheson would transfer.

Stepheson came to UNC in the same recruiting class as forwards Deon Thompson and Brandan Wright. He played sparingly as freshman in 2006-07 behind both. When Wright left for the NBA after one season, he became the first post player off the bench. A strong rebounder and shot blocker, he averaged 14.5 minutes per game last season as UNC won a school-record 36 games and reached the Final Four.

“I am extremely, extremely disappointed but I feel so great about Alex that I understand his decision to transfer,” UNC Roy Williams said in the release. “...He is a wonderful kid. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching him and know that he would have contributed so much more in the next two years. Nevertheless, I have tremendous respect for Alex and know that he will always be part of our Carolina Basketball family. I’ll miss him, but he will always be important to me.”

Stepheson, ranked as the 55th-best prospect the Class of 2006 by Scout.com, chose UNC over Arizona and UCLA out of high school. He's the first player to transfer out of UNC under Williams.

Stepheson's departure could be the first of many changes to UNC's 2008-09 roster. Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green have all entered the NBA Draft without hiring an agent. The trio has until June 16 to make a decision to leave early or return to Chapel Hill.

The Heels will have three freshmen for next season's pursuit of a third straight ACC title and a return to the Final Four, including McDonald's All-American forwards Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller.