Springfield, Mo. -- Missouri State men's basketball coach Paul Lusk announced Tuesday (March 19) that redshirt freshman forward Drew Wilson intends to transfer at the conclusion of the current academic year.  Lusk noted that Wilson would be released from his scholarship, pending satisfactory academic progress the remainder of the semester.

According to Lusk, Wilson made the MSU coaching staff aware of his decision Sunday.

Wilson played in 31 games for the Bears this winter, starting 18 times.  He averaged 2.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest with a 57.4 percent field goal percentage. He was one of only two freshmen in the Missouri Valley Conference to tally over 100 rebounds this season. The Tulsa native also compiled two double-double efforts early in the campaign -- Nov. 9 against Philander Smith (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Dec. 5 at Tulsa (11 points, 11 rebounds).

The departure of Wilson opens up an additional scholarship opportunity for MSU next season. Coupled with the retirement of Keith Pickens at the end of 2012-13 due to chronic knee pain, the Bears now have two scholarships from which to recruit in the offseason.

This season, Lusk's Bears split their last 12 games before falling to Wichita State in the MVC Tournament quarterfinals on March 8. Missouri State, which boasted one of the nation’s youngest teams, also ranks fifth nationally in fewest turnovers per game.