STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi State's Rodney Hood has decided to transfer.
Hood was one of the Southeastern Conference's best freshmen last season, averaging 10.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 guard from Meridian, Miss., played in 32 games, starting 29.
Hood's departure is the latest blow for MSU's basketball program. Longtime Coach Rick Stansbury retired in March after 14 seasons, and new coach Rick Ray now must replace the entire starting five from last season. Renardo Sidney and Arnett Moultrie have also left in recent weeks to pursue professional careers.
Ray said he was "disappointed in Rodney's decision" in a statement released by the university, but that the Hood family was "forthright and honest."
Hood said he wished the program "nothing but the best."
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
