LaMarcus Lee has asked for and been granted a release from his national letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga next season.
"After careful consideration and prayers, my family and I have made the best decision for my future. I've been released (from) Chattanooga in the event of a lot of controversy," Lee posted to his Twitter page Saturday afternoon.
Lee, a 6-foot-2 guard at Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, La., averaged 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Class 5A state champions. He was part of former UTC coach Will Wade's four-player recruiting class, along with point guard Austin Donaldson, center Trey Kalina and forward ZaQwaun Matthews.
Wade left on April 6 to become the Virginia Commonwealth coach. He was replaced a week later by Matt McCall. The Mocs' new head coach met with each of the signees last weekend, and while Kalina and Matthews chose to stick with the program, Donaldson -- whose stock has risen dramatically since leading his Jonesboro (Ga.) program to its second consecutive state championship -- and now Lee have chosen to explore other options.
McCall already has had three players commit to the program. Incoming freshman Peyton Woods committed Tuesday, sophomore forward Traevis Graham did the same Wednesday and transfer guard Johnathan Burroughs-Cook did Friday. That put the Mocs over the 13-scholarship limit, but Lee's release puts them back at the max.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.