ATLANTA (AP) Small forward Clarence Moore has quit Georgia Tech's basketball team after a season in which he started 29 games, averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.

"He just lost interest in playing," Tech coach Paul Hewitt said Thursday.

The 6-foot-5 junior was one of the Yellow Jackets' most experienced players. His departure means Tech will enter next season with just 10 scholarship players, just two of them upperclassmen - starting shooting guard Marvin Lewis and reserve power forward Robert Brooks.

Hewitt once called Moore his "most important player" because of his one-on-one defensive skills, scoring ability and rebounding.

"You're talking about a guy with great leadership ability and talent on a very young team," Hewitt said. "I think we're talented enough to overcome this loss, but, at the same time it'd be a lot easier with him in the lineup."

Moore told Hewitt in December that he was considering giving up the sport. The coach talked him into staying.

After the 15-16 season, Moore informed Hewitt again that he was unsure about continuing. When Moore went home to Louisiana for the summer, Hewitt hoped he would have a change of heart.

Tony Akins, Tech's point guard the past four seasons and one of Moore's closest friends, said Moore "was feeling like that all season. He just didn't feel like he had a passion for it."

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