Indiana's Keeling leaving school, Shaw may transfer

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Forward Xavier Keeling is leaving Indiana and guard Joey Shaw is considering a move to another school.

The 6-foot-6 Keeling averaged 1.8 points during his freshman season.

"He just told me he wanted to play a little closer to home," Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson said Tuesday. "We talked about his season and his future. Xavier is a great kid and I wish him nothing but the best."

Keeling, of Huntsville, Ala., was recruited to IU by Mike Davis, now the coach at Alabama-Birmingham.

Shaw, a 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman shooting guard from Glendale, Ariz., averaged 4.5 points and 12.9 minutes of playing time.

Keeling's departure opens a scholarship for junior college player DeAndre Thomas, who has given Sampson a verbal commitment. Thomas is among six new players expected to join the Hoosiers for Sampson's second season.

Thomas, power forward from Chipola (Fla.) College, can sign a letter of intent in the spring signing period that begins April 11.