Minnesota's Charles Buggs leaving as graduate transfer

Charles Buggs will be the second Minnesota player to leave the program this offseason, as the 6-foot-9 forward will pursue a graduate transfer for next season.

"It has been a pleasure to coach Charles over the past three years and see his continued development and growth as a basketball player and person," head coach Richard Pitino said in a statement. "He has a bright future in basketball and life ahead of him, and will no doubt find success wherever he goes."

Buggs averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 24.0 minutes of action per game during his junior season, but never seemed to be on the same page with Pitino.

As the last remaining recruit from the Tubby Smith era at Minnesota, Buggs had no connection to the new coach, and found himself benched for three games this past season.

Buggs has completed his degree, making him eligible immediately in the 2016-17 season as a graduate transfer.