Pittsburgh announced Friday evening that freshman center Khem Birch has decided to withdraw from the team.
The news was first reported by CBSSports.com.
“Khem has decided to leave the team for personal reasons,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “We thank Khem for his contribution to our program over the last semester and wish him great success in the future.”
Birch, a 6-foot-9, 209-pound center who was a McDonald’s All-American, started each of Pitt’s last six games. He led the Panthers in blocked shots (19), averaged 4.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and shot 57.1 percent (16-28) from the floor.
Birch totaled one double-double of 15 points and 10 boards at Penn on Nov. 25 and surpassed career-highs for blocked shots (six) and rebounds (11) in a home win against Robert Morris on Nov. 27.
No. 15 ranked Pitt (9-1) hosts South Carolina State tomorrow at the Petersen Events Center.
