UC Irvine Center Carlson Plans to Transfer

Andrew Carlson, a 6-foot-10 center at UC Irvine, has asked for his release from his basketball scholarship so he can transfer, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said Friday.

Carlson, a sophomore, averaged 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds last season, with a career-high 19 points against Nevada in the first round of the Big West Tournament. He averaged 5.5 points and 5.0 rebounds as a freshman and was named to the conference’s all-freshman team.

Carlson’s departure leaves Irvine with only one returning inside player, 6-9 Matt Willard. But Irvine signed Mark Gottschalk, a 6-10 center from White Salmon (Wash.), and Stan Divranos, a 6-8 freshman from Butte College. Marek Ondera, a 6-6 forward from MiraCosta College, recently committed to Irvine.