The story of Iowa men's basketball player Jack Nunge will be one of, what might have been. Nunge announced on Tuesday his intentions to transfer out of the Iowa men's basketball program, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

In a news release, Nunge stated the following.

After long consideration, I have made the difficult decision to transfer following this semester. This has been an incredibly emotional and difficult year for me and my family. I want to transfer to a school closer to home so I can be near my mother and siblings.

Nunge went on to say that he has nothing but fond memories of the University of Iowa and his Hawkeye teammates. He thanked Hawkeye Nation for their support during his time in Iowa City.

There is no doubt that this season was a tough one for Nunge. He was having a very good season off the bench for Iowa, providing valuable rest time for Luka Garza. But tragedy struck last November 28th when his father, Dr. Mark Nunge died unexpectedly. After spending time with family back home in Indiana, Jack Nunge returned to the Hawkeyes and their run towards a Big Ten title. But, the injury bug bit again. Nunge tore the meniscus in his right knee on February 25th, and his season was over. The Gazette reports it was the same knee that Nunge had torn his ACL back in 2018.

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery said that no player should have to go through what Nunge endured this past season. He said that he fully supports Nunge's decision to play closer to home. This leaves a glaring hole in the middle for Iowa next year. The Hawkeyes' only returning post player is freshman Josh Ogundele who only played 17 minutes this past season.

 

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