Two Iowa Basketball Players have been granted their release. Brady Ellingson and Ahmad Wagner are no longer Hawkeyes.
Here's what Brady put on Twitter:
Here's the release from Iowa:
University of Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery announced Tuesday that redshirt junior Brady Ellingson will earn his degree in enterprise leadership in May and transfer from the Hawkeye basketball program.
Ellingson, who has been with the Iowa basketball program the past four years, will be eligible to play next season as a graduate transfer. Ellingson (6-foot-4, 196 pounds) played in 94 career games, where he was a 40 percent career 3-point shooter. He averaged 2.8 points and 1.1 assists in 26 contests this past season.
“We want to thank Brady for his contribution to our program over the past four seasons,” said McCaffery. “Brady is a hard worker, a terrific teammate, and a good student. We wish Brady good luck in his future endeavors. My staff and I will do whatever we can to help Brady during this transition.”
The native of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, was granted a medical redshirt as a true freshman in 2014-15, after missing a majority of the season due to a foot injury. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Iowa basketball program the past four seasons,” Ellingson said. “I look forward to pursuing an expanded role at another institution where I can achieve the goals I have as both a basketball player and student. I will take with me the memories and friendships created with my teammates. I also want to thank the Hawkeye fans for their support the last four years.”
Here's Iowa's release on Wagner:
University of Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery announced Tuesday that junior Ahmad Wagner has decided to depart the Hawkeye basketball program and explore college football opportunities. Wagner will finish out this semester academically at Iowa before deciding on an institution to complete his college eligibility playing football.
Wagner (6-foot-7, 235-pounds) played in 96 career games, starting 25 at forward the past three seasons. As a junior, Wagner averaged 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 30 contests. Wagner averaged 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds and earned the team’s Most Improved Player Award and the inaugural Kenny Arnold Hawkeye Spirit Award his sophomore season.
“I have had recent discussions with my family and the coaching staff, and ultimately decided to leave the Hawkeye basketball program and end my college basketball career so I can finish my collegiate eligibility playing football,” said Wagner. “A person of strong faith, I am following God’s plan and I am eager for this next chapter. I leave the Iowa men’s basketball team with new friendships and incredible memories that I will forever treasure. I want to thank coach McCaffery, staff, and teammates for helping me grow both as a basketball player and person.
“My plan now is to train and get my body into football shape so I can be ready for when I decide where I will finish my athletic and academic goals. Thank-you Hawkeye nation for your support and welcoming me when I first stepped onto campus.”
Wagner, a native of Yellow Springs, Ohio, was a three-sport athlete at Wayne High School. Wagner also played wide receiver for one season as a senior, helping lead the team to the state title game. He garnered first-team all-conference, all-state, and all-division accolades while hauling in 58 receptions for 1,028 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns as a receiver his senior season.
“Ahmad has been a tremendous teammate and an absolute joy to coach the past three seasons,” McCaffery said. “Ahmad has a unique blend of athleticism and strength to go along with a tremendous work ethic. I have no doubt that he will be successful in his pursuit of playing football. I am excited for his future and wish him nothing but the best. We will work with Ahmad any way we can to assist him during this transition.”