UCLA freshman will transfer

4/30/2008 6:18 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) -UCLA swingman Chace Stanback, a freshman reserve who played in 25 games this season, will leave the program and transfer to another school.

``After speaking with my family and thinking about it for a long time, I feel that it is in my best interest to explore other opportunities,'' Stanback said in a statement Wednesday. ``I want to thank my coaches and teammates because they have helped me improve as a player and grow as a man and I am thankful to them for that.''

The 6-foot-8 Stanback, a former California high school player of the year, averaged 1.0 point, 0.7 rebounds and 5.8 minutes for the Bruins, who advanced to the Final Four for the third straight season. He hasn't decided where he's going to transfer, but plans to leave UCLA following the spring quarter.

``Chace is an outstanding young man and we appreciate what he did for this program this past year,'' coach Ben Howland said. ``He helped us win a Pac-10 championship and get to the Final Four and we will always be appreciative of his efforts. We are supportive of him and his future in whatever direction he decides to go.''

Four UCLA starters - freshman All-America Kevin Love, sophomore Russell Westbrook and juniors Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Josh Shipp - have announced they will enter the NBA draft. None have hired agents, so playing for the Bruins next season remains an option although it's virtually certain that Love won't be back.