J.R. Giddens may soon be attending a different university. Self and Giddens decided the evening of June 28 that his leaving would be the best alternative to give both Giddens and the University a fresh start.

Head men’s basketball coach Bill Self announced on June 29 that junior forward J.R. Giddens will not return to the men’s basketball team and will transfer from the University of Kansas.

After deliberating for hours, Self and Giddens reached the decision on the evening of June 28, Self said. He said the May 19 altercation involving Giddens had little to do with his decision.

“This is not a disciplinary action,” Self said. “This is based on J.R. and me wanting a fresh start.”

In a KU Media Relations press release, Giddens is quoted as agreeing that he thought a fresh start would be best for the University and himself.

The report on the May 19 incident outside the Moon Bar, 821 Iowa, remains in the possession of the Douglas County district attorney’s office. No charges have been filed.

Giddens would be followed by too many questions if he remained at the University, guilty or innocent, Self said,

Self informed the team shortly after he and Giddens reached a decision. Self said although the team was caught off guard, he felt the team would recover. Self is not concerned with finding a replacement for Giddens, who had already renewed his athletic scholarship. Self said there was too little time and too few options to find a replacement and that the team had several key players to carry the weight.

“We’ve prepared for this moment back when we thought J.R. was leaving after his sophomore year,” Self said.

Self said he would enter the next season with confidence even with the recent loss of Giddens.

“We’re one of the youngest teams in America and that’s very exciting,” Self said.

But even with Giddens off the team, Self said he and the program would maintain contact with him.

“We’re not going to leave him high and dry,” Self said. “If he needs anything, we’ll help.”

Giddens has not made a decision on what school he will transfer to or when, Self said. Legally Self could not comment on Giddens’ academic standing, but Self said he had no doubt Giddens’ grades were good enough for a transfer.