CAPE GIRARDEAU (January, 16, 2002) - Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner has announced that guard Justin Smith has decided to leave Southeast and transfer to a junior college.

Smith, who transferred to Southeast from Arkansas State last January, was a non-scholarship player who would have become eligible to play at Southeast this semester although Garner had announced previously that Smith would be redshirted.

Originally from Memphis, Tenn., Smith saw limited playing time the first semester of the 2000-2001 season at Arkansas State. He was a second team all-state player at Hamilton High School in Memphis.

"Justin indicated to me that he feels the best option for him is to transfer to a junior college where he can play next year and then have two years eligibility remaining at a four-year school," Garner said. "He is a fine young man and we wish him the best."