Peyton Woods leaving UTC basketball program

Peyton Woods dribbles the ball as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosts Hiwassee College in a men's basketball game Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won their home opener by a score of 94-55.
Peyton Woods dribbles the ball as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosts Hiwassee College in a men's basketball game Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won their home opener by a score of 94-55.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga guard Peyton Woods will not be returning to the men's basketball program, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot-4 Kentucky native had a solid freshman campaign, averaging 2.9 points while shooting 47 percent (14-for-30) from 3-point range. He started his second season with the program in the playing rotation but struggled from 3-point range and had his minutes reduced.

Woods was 13-for-47 (28 percent) from 3-point range for the season but started 4-for-27 (15 percent) against NCAA Division I competition. His best game came in the regular-season finale on the road at The Citadel, when he played 20 minutes and scored 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting on 3s.

Woods' departure leaves the Mocs with five scholarship players from the 2016-17 active roster. In addition, guards David-Jean Baptiste and transfer Andrew Fleming redshirted last season and will be eligible, while senior Chuck Ester, who missed the season with a torn ACL, could be back as well.

UTC has four players signed for next season: junior college forward Joan Duran, guards Jalen Crutcher and Terry Nolan Jr. and forward Demarcus Mitchell.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.

Upcoming Events