Polk set to transfer

Sophomore Christian Polk has asked for, and received a release from his scholarship at Arizona State, and will now look at possible transfer destinations. The move frees up an additional scholarship that can be awarded by ASU.

"I just though it was best for me and my future to spend the rest of my career somewhere else," Polk informed ASUDevils.com "I have no hard feelings with any of the coaches or players. I'll always keep in contact with these guys. I just felt as far as basketball, it's best for me to continue somewhere else."

Polk started 26 games as a freshman in 2006-07, averaged 29.4 minutes per game, third-most on the team. He averaged 12.0 points per game, among the top-10 all-time at ASU in that category. His 64 3-pointers placed him among the Top-10 all-time in the Pac-10 for a freshman.

With the addition of freshmen wing guards James Harden and Ty Abbott, Polk's minutes on the floor were significantly cut. He did not play in the final 12 games of the season, and averaged just 3.5 points per game in 12.5 minutes of action.

"I just felt like I know I can play at this level and I really wasn't playing that much here at ASU," Polk said. "I just felt like my opportunity would be better somewhere else."

Polk met with coach Herb Sendek on Thursday and the two discussed the situation and mutually realized that transferring was the best course of action.

"We have no hard feelings," Polk said "There is no bad blood. It was short and sweet. I asked for [the release] and he said 'I'm here for you if you need anything.' I still enjoy being around all those guys. I don't have any problem with anyone in the program."

Though he was recruited to the program by former coach Rob Evans, Polk said that he doesn't believe there was any favoritism on the part of the current ASU staff.

"I don't use that as an excuse," he said. "If I was good enough to be on the court, I think coach Sendek would have put me on the court. I don't have any problem with him or anyone else with the program."

Polk said he would like to continue playing at the Division I level, and is prepared to sit out for a season as required. He has not thought much about possible destinations.

"I tried never to think about it during the season," he said. "When people tried to talk to me about it during the season I'd blow them off because I wanted to keep my head clear and keep a positive attitude for the team. I didn't think about transferring during the season so I really have no idea right now what schools I'm seriously considering."

The decision by Polk frees up a scholarship that can be awarded either this spring, to a member of the 2008 class, or more likely, in the 2009 class. Until this point, ASU was recruiting on the assumption that another scholarship would become available either via transfer or an early NBA declaration.

The Sun Devils are recruiting post players Renardo Sidney, Brendan Lane and Anthony Stover in the 2009 class, among others, in an attempt to add frontcourt talent.