The Bobcat Nation

Walker and Hughes to Leave Yellowjackets
(7/17/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings men’s basketball coach Craig Carse announced Monday that juniors Lucas Walker and Carlin Hughes have decided to transfer out of the Yellowjacket program. Both Walker and Hughes want to seek opportunities with Division I programs and MSU-Billings has released them to do so.

“We’re disappointed they’re not returning,” said Carse. “Naturally we’ll miss them as people and as players, and we wish them the best.”

Walker, a 6-foot-8 forward from Launceston, Australia, played in 22 games for the Yellowjackets last season. He averaged 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Hughes, a 6-1 guard from Perth, Western Australia, played in 28 games, averaging 17.3 points and 9.6 assists.

Wanting an opportunity to play at a higher level, Lucas Walker and Carlin Hughes have left the Montana State-Billings men's basketball program.

Yellowjacket athletic officials released the two players from their scholarships, allowing them to try and find a spot with Division I programs.

MSU-B is an NCAA Division II school.

If both end up at Division I programs, they will have to sit out a full season before becoming eligible.
"We're disappointed they're not returning," said Craig Carse, the MSU-B head coach. "Naturally, we'll miss them as people and as players and we wish them the best."

The two dynamic Australians made an immediate impact upon joining the Yellowjackets in 2004.

Walker, a 6-8 forward known for his dunking ability, averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in his first season at MSU-B and was selected Freshman of the Year for the Pacific West Conference. He averaged 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22 games last season.

Both his seasons were cut short by injury.

Hughes, a court-savvy 6-1 point guard, averaged 12.5 points as a freshman. Last season, his first as a full-time starter, Hughes averaged 17.3 points and handed out a single-season record 269 assists. He was among the nation's leaders for assists, averaging almost 10 a game. Hughes also scored a career-high 45 points in a home win over St. Edward's.

In just two seasons, Hughes had 405 career assists, ranking him seventh all-time for the Yellowajckets. He was also four steals shy of cracking the top 10 career list for that category.

There was no word on where Walker was heading. Hughes is said to be considering St. Mary's College in Moraga, Calif.

Their departure leaves MSU-B with no returning starters from last year's 20-8 team that won a share of the Heartland Conference regular-season championship.