This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Freshman center Carson Shanks has left the Utah State men's basketball program, his family confirmed Thursday afternoon.

The 7-foot Minnesota native elected to leave Logan after only one semester. His father, Michael Shanks, said his son was looking to transfer closer to home, and there were no other hard feelings involved.

Utah State was redshirting Shanks this season, the only incoming freshman not yet to play. His departure leaves the program precipitously thin at the center position, with only one man - 6-foot-10 Jordan Stone - slated to play at 5-spot next year. The Aggies will likely seek to bolster the depth at the position in the spring signing period.

Shanks averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game as a senior at Prior Lake in Minnesota.

—Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon