Official Matt Carlino release

From UCLA:

LOS ANGELES – UCLA men’s basketball head coach Ben Howland announced today that 6-foot-1-inch freshman guard Matt Carlino will not be returning next quarter. Carlino, from Scottsdale, Ariz., and Blooming South High School (Ind.), will transfer to play his final years at another school.

Carlino will leave UCLA immediately and hasn’t made a decision as to where he will transfer.

“Matt is a good kid and I have enjoyed having him in our program,” Howland said. “I wish him nothing but the best as he searches for a program where he will have a chance to play more minutes than we envision he will have here.”

Carlino didn’t play in a regulation collegiate game. He took a hard fall in practice after the first exhibition game and had a concussion, which sidelined him for the last exhibition game and the first three games of the season. He was medically cleared to play in the Bruins’ last four games, but did not due to coaches decision.

He played nine minutes in the blowout exhibition win over Westmont (Nov. 4), registering four points, two assists, one rebound and one steal.

“It is with great humility that I declare my intentions to transfer from UCLA,” Carlino said in a statement. “I want to thank the University, Coach Howland and his staff for affording me the opportunity of a lifetime. However, I believe a new destination would be much healthier for me both personally and athletically. I sincerely apologize to all those, especially those closest to me, who may find my decision disappointing, and I want to wish all of my coaches and teammates at UCLA best of luck going forward.

“I hope to be enrolled in a new educational institution by next semester, though I’ve not yet determined my schools of interest. I will have no further comments on this matter.”