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Naadir Tharpe is transferring from Kansas

Kansas v Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 18: Naadir Tharpe #10 of the Kansas Jayhawks during game action against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 18, 2014 at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 64-63. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)

John Weast

Naadir Tharpe will transfer out of Kansas, the school announced on Thursday afternoon.

Tharpe was the biggest question mark on the Kansas roster this past season, and his role as the starting point guard heading into next year was the biggest reason that Texas has been mentioned as a possible favorite in the Big 12 in 2014-2015. Tharpe is talented, and he put together a handful of really impressive performances a season ago. But he’s not a leader, he never was able to take control of the team this past season and he battled severe bouts of inconsistency throughout his career.

When you’re the primary ball-handler for a top five team, you can’t make the kind of unforced mistakes that Tharpe made throughout his career in Lawrence.

There was also the issue of an inappropriate picture that included Tharpe that made the rounds on social media last month. Tharpe, however, said in a statement released by the school that his decision to transfer centers around his daughter, who is sick.

“Due to extenuating circumstances within my personal life, I will no longer be attending the University of Kansas,” Tharpe said. “My daughter has current medical issues that require weekly visits to her physician, as well as with a specialist. At this juncture, I feel it is best to be closer to home where I can assist and support in any way necessary.”

“Naadir and I have talked numerous times since he’s been here about his role and about his situation back home with his daughter,” head coach Bill Self said. “He’s told me many times how much he misses his little girl and she’s had some health issues that has certainly made it difficult for him to be away from her for this extended period of time. She’s doing very well now, but Naadir approached me after the season was over about him wanting to be closer to her. This is his decision to try and accomplish that.”

If Tharpe does transfer closer to him Massachusetts home, expect him to apply for a waiver that will allow him to be eligible immediately wherever he ends up.

Tharpe averaged 8.5 points and 5.0 assists with the Jayhawks as a junior.

As it stands, Self has two adequate point guards on his roster in rising sophomores Frank Mason and Connor Frankamp, but the team is one of the two finalists for Devonte Graham, a top 50 recruit that spent this past season at Brewster Academy, a prep school in New England.

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