Chapel Hill, N.C. — Alex Stepheson, a rising junior power forward for the University of North Carolina men¹s basketball team, will transfer in order to be closer to his family in California due to several health concerns, the school said in a news release issued Friday afternoon.

"My family is dealing with some health challenges at this time, and as a result, I have made the decision to transfer to be closer to home," says Stepheson.

"The two years I have spent as a Tar Heel have been great. My teammates, Coach Williams and his staff and the whole Carolina family are the best," Stepheson said. "I wish to thank the UNC fans for all their support and encouragement. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a Tar Heel and I wish the program the best in the future."

Stepheson is a native of Los Angeles and missed games against Kent State and Clemson in January of this year to fly home and be with a sick family member.

It's not clear where he will go to school in the fall.

"I am extremely, extremely disappointed, but I feel so great about Alex that I understand his decision to transfer," says head coach Roy Williams. "He is doing this because of health concerns and by being closer to home, he will be able to provide the necessary support and help his family needs at this time. He is a wonderful kid. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching him and know that he would have contributed so much more in the next two years. Nevertheless, I have tremendous respect for Alex and know that he will always be part of our Carolina Basketball family. I¹ll miss him, but he will always be important to me."

Stepheson averaged just over four points and four rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game this past season.

Stepheson would have contended for the right to play alongside National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough with returning forward Deon Thompson and incoming freshmen Tyler Zeller and Ed Davis.

The University of North Carolina has given Stepheson a release so that he may be in contact with other schools regarding a transfer.