Junior forward Chase leaves Grizzly basketball team

After one season with the University of Montana men’s basketball team, junior Gus Chase has decided to leave the team.

Chase informed the UM coaching staff on Monday about his decision. He said he didn’t feel appreciated by the coaches and was unhappy with his playing time.

“I feel as though I wasn’t given a fair chance to play,” said Chase, who said he considered leaving at the beginning of the season. “I ain’t getting better by sitting on the bench.”

Chase is considering going to a Division II school in Texas, Georgia or Kansas and said he is still receiving calls from other teams.

This season with Montana, Chase, a 6-foot-5 forward from Baltimore, averaged only seven minutes and 1.9 points a game.

Chase’s biggest game with Montana came against Sacramento State on Feb. 7. He played 16 minutes and scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in Montana’s 76-69 win over the Hornets at Dahlberg Arena.

Chase transferred to UM after playing two seasons at Sheridan Junior College in Sheridan, Wyo. During his sophomore season at Sheridan, Chase averaged 19 points and eight rebounds a game and was named the Wyoming Conference Player of the Year.

UM freshman guard Cameron Rundles said he has mixed feelings about the departure.

“I tried to talk him into staying, but he’s his own man and I kind of understand where he’s coming from,” Rundles said. “I’m sure I’d be pretty unhappy if I wasn’t playing.”

Attempts to reach UM head coach Wayne Tinkle on Wednesday were unsuccessful.