Gabe Miller, who would have had freshman eligibility this year after sitting out his first year as a redshirt, has decided leave the basketball team citing personal reasons.
Miller said in a telephone interview that he wanted to allow more time to focus on academics.
"Basketball took up a lot of time," Miller said.
He said the team is currently meeting two to three times a day for workouts.
Miller said he had been considering this for a couple of weeks. Last weekend he went home and discussed the decision with his family and his high school coach Rob Irwin. Miller said they supported his final decision.
Miller told head coach Tim Buckley of his decision on Tuesday. He then addressed the team later that day.
"They were surprised," Miller said of his teammates. "But they want the best for me, so I think they understood."
Buckley said he was saddened by Miller's departure.
"We are disappointed that Gabe has decided not to play basketball," head coach Tim Buckley said. "However, we are happy that Gabe is doing what he wants to do now."
Miller's basketball scholarship will be continued through the end of this semester. The team will then have another scholarship open.
Buckley said Miller intends to stay at Ball State and graduate with a business degree.
"He is a tremendous young man with a bright future," Buckley said.
Miller is a graduate of Carroll High School in Fort Wayne. Miller's high school teammate Scott Bushong left the Ball State basketball team over the summer.
Miller and Bushong helped lead Carroll to the state semifinals as a senior. Miller averaged 21 points per game in his final year and was named to the Indiana All-Star Team.
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