North Carolina's recent media release on the transfer of Alex Stepheson focused on an ill family member as the reason for his departure. Duke's three-paragraph statement on the late March decision of Taylor King to leave the Blue Devils didn't mention a reason for his exit.

Here's the reality of the situation: Stepheson and King view themselves as professional basketball players in the long run, and they no longer saw their original schools of choice as their best opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

Here's another reality of 21st century college basketball: Like it or not, the transfer route is more popular than ever. According to research by the ACC Sports Journal and ACCSports.com (see recent data below), ACC basketball programs have averaged approximately one transfer per school per year over the past decade.

"Transfers are a fact of life, and not all transfers are a bad thing," said Miami coach Frank Haith, who has been on both ends of player transfers during his four seasons with the Hurricanes. "Sometimes, a coaching change can contribute to the situation. Sometimes, both parties can have the right intentions going in, and it just doesn't work out for one reason or another. It happens."

Haith lost two players to transfer a year ago. But he also added one of the most successful major-college transfers in ACC history in former Siena guard Jack McClinton, a first-team All-ACC choice last season. This summer, the Hurricanes will welcome former Villanova guard Malcolm Grant, a talented slasher and shooter who got caught in a talented but crowded backcourt with the Wildcats.

"Playing time is probably the No. 1 reason (for transfers)," Haith said, "especially if there's not a coaching change involved."

Stepheson's mother, Diane, recently stated that two factors will drive the player's choice of a new school — (1) closeness to home, and (2) playing time. The Stepheson family, including Alex's father, who is suffering from an undisclosed illness, resides in southern California. Alex is considering Southern Cal and UCLA, among other programs. He also is planning to appeal to the NCAA for an exception to the organization's usual one-year sit-out rule for major-college transfers, on the basis of his father's illness.

Had Stepheson remained at UNC, his role in 2008-09 likely would not have expanded much from his first two years in Chapel Hill. He was the Tar Heels' first big man off the bench last season, behind junior Tyler Hansbrough and fellow sophomore Deon Thompson. When Hansbrough decided to return for his senior season, Stepheson faced a third consecutive year as a reserve, plus the additional challenge of battling incoming freshman All-Americans Tyler Zeller and Ed Davis for playing time in the post. That certainly would not have presented a clear path to the NBA.

King's decision to leave Duke, after only one season, also involved a glance at the future. One of the leading scorers in the history of California high school basketball, King saw his playing time dwindle down the stretch for the Blue Devils in 2007-08, and he spent some of his time in the post. A 6-7 shooter with amazing range, he sees himself as a wing scorer who needs creative guards on his side to help him maximize his potential.

King's father, Steve, said Taylor would seek out a program that "better fits his offensive strengths." Taylor King, while complimentary of his Duke experience as a whole, told the Philadelphia Daily News he didn't think he was "in the right position to get to the next level" with the Blue Devils.

Villanova, which lost out to Duke the first time it recruited King, won the battle for his services this time. After sitting out the upcoming season, King will have three years of eligibility with the Wildcats, beginning in 2009-10.

ACC Transfers (10) During/After 2007-08 Season

Boston College guard Daye Kaba — Marist
Boston College forward Shamari Spears — Charlotte
Clemson forward Julius Powell — Lenoir-Rhyne
Duke forward Taylor King — Villanova
Florida State guard Chris Blake — junior college
Florida State forward Casaan Breeden — Charleston
Florida State forward Julian Vaughn — Georgetown
Georgia Tech forward Mouhammad Faye — SMU
Maryland forward Shane Walker — ???
North Carolina forward Alex Stepheson — ???

ACC Transfers (12) During/After 2006-07 Season

Boston College guard Marquez Haynes — Texas-Arlington
Clemson forward A.J. Tyler — Central Florida
Duke forward Jamal Boykin — California
Florida State guard Josue Soto — Florida International
Georgia Tech forward Paco Diaw — Lee (NAIA)
Miami guard Denis Clemente — Kansas State
Miami forward Lawrence Gilbert — Louisiana-Monroe
Virginia Tech forward Robert Krabbendam — Europe
Virginia Tech guard Nigel Munson — junior college
Wake Forest forward Casey Crawford — Colorado
Wake Forest guard Shamaine Dukes — Georgia State
Wake Forest forward Kevin Swinton — UNC Wilmington