Indiana Hoosier Peter Jurkin to Transfer

Dec 7, 2013; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center

(42) dunks the ball during warm ups before the game against the North Florida Ospreys at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Junior center Peter Jurkin has announced his intentions to transfer for Indiana. Reports indicate that he will seek a school where he can find more playing time.

Jurkin will leave behind a career that never really found its stride as he was hampered by multiple leg injuries over his first two years at IU. He played in just 11 games for a grand total of 18 minutes.

Coach Tom Crean wished Jurkin well in the future.

“Peter has indicated his desire to try and find a program where he can get on the court more,” Crean said. “He has had an uphill battle health-wise since he arrived. He believes he can get to a point where he can contribute at a level greater than what he is able to do here. Our priority is that he can obtain his education and he always is welcome to do that and be part of our program at IU.”

Jurkin was grateful for the opportunities and support while at IU.

“I want to thank Coach Crean and everyone on the staff for helping me through my injuries and the death of my father,” Jurkin said. “I will always consider myself a Hoosier and think it is best if I look at another opportunity to pursue my education and continuing my playing career. Physically, I still have work to do but will hopefully be up to the challenge.” 

While this marks yet another player who has chosen to leave IU, Jurkin isn’t really a big loss. The fact of the matter is that he couldn’t find his way on the court even with IU’s thin front line.

Jurkin has a lot of potential but simply can’t stay healthy for long enough to develop his skills. He was part of the 2013 recruiting class, dubbed The Movement. That class is now down to just two member enrolled at IU: Yogi Ferrell and Hanner Mosquera-Perea.

His departure leaves the Hoosiers with just 11 scholarship players left on the roster.