Heramb released from scholarship

Auburn forward Matt Heramb has left the team, the university announced Friday.

The 6-foot-9 sophomore, a native of Douglasville, Ga., was the Tigers’ only reserve big man most of last season. Heramb played sparingly most of his career until a shortage of post players forced him into the rotation midway through last season.

It’s unclear if Heramb will remain at Auburn or seek a transfer to another school to continue his college basketball career.

“Matt has been granted a release from his scholarship,” Auburn head coach Jeff Lebo said in a statement released by the school. “I appreciate what he has given to Auburn the past two years, and we wish him the best in the future.”

Heramb averaged 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.9 minutes this season. He scored a career-high 17 points in AU’s Nov. 16 win at Alabama State and had two other double-digit scoring games, against Presbyterian and Towson.

He averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds as a freshman.

Heramb is the 12th scholarship player — and the seventh Lebo signee — to leave the team since Lebo arrived in May of 2004.

Auburn returns seven scholarship players next season. That number includes forward Josh Dollard, who didn’t play last season due to what the school called “medical reasons.”

It also includes forward Vot Barber, who missed the final 20 games of the season with a broken hand, and freshman center Boubacar Sylla, who missed the final 27 games with an ankle injury.

| 737-2561