By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

For Anthony Coleman, it came down to playing time, and 6.8 minutes per game weren't enough. A statement released Thursday by Xavier said Coleman, a 6-foot-10 center, is leaving the Musketeers' basketball program.

Coleman wouldn't say where he planned to transfer, but his father, William Coleman, said his son is transferring to a school near his Carson, Calif., home.

"The last couple months, he was frustrated," William Coleman said. "And he made up his mind that he wanted to play somewhere else."

Coleman's departure opens up a scholarship for Xavier next season. A logical candidate for that scholarship would be Randy Holbrook, who was supposed to join the Musketeers this fall but failed to graduate from Odessa (Texas) College on time. He since has finished his coursework, but said he's no longer interested in XU.

"We parted ways about a month ago," Holbrook said Thursday from his home in St. Louis. I felt (Xavier) gave up on me from an academic standpoint."

Holbrook said he hasn't committed to playing anywhere next season.

Coleman's future at Xavier looked promising after he averaged 10.7 minutes in the final six games last season. But he scored three points through the first seven games this season, and had five rebounds and no assists. He didn't play in the Musketeers' last two games, against Miami and Mississippi State.

On Dec. 12, an Enquirer reporter asked Coleman if he intended to transfer. Coleman responded by saying he didn't know "where a rumor like that came from."

Coleman didn't talk to reporters Thursday.

Xavier coach Thad Matta wished Coleman well.

"I hate to see him go," Matta said. "He's a good kid and a good teammate."

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com