COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Suspended forwards Demetrius Henry and Shamiek Sheppard won't be returning to South Carolina's basketball team next year.
Gamecocks coach Frank Martin said on Tuesday that the 6-foot-9 Henry, 6-6 Sheppard and little used guard Reggie Theus Jr. would all transfer from South Carolina.
Henry and Sheppard were suspended on Feb. 17 for the rest of the regular season by Martin for actions detrimental to the team. The decision was announced hours before the Gamecocks won at Georgia. Martin said he'd revisit their status before the Southeastern Conference tournament, yet neither played again.
Henry announced last month on Twitter he was leaving. Sheppard's future with the team was unclear until Martin's announcement.
Martin said the players all asked for their release from their scholarships.
"We wish them the best moving forward and appreciate all that they and their families contributed to our program," Martin said in a statement.
Martin said in response to a message from The Associated Press that he did not want to comment further about the transfers.
Henry, from Miami, Florida, announced last month on Twitter he was leaving. Sheppard's future with the team was unclear until Martin's announcement.
Henry started 48 games in two seasons, including 19 of 21 this year, averaging six points and three rebounds before the suspension.
"I want to thank Coach Frank and the University of South Carolina (for) the opportunity to play here, but I will be transferring," Henry posted to his Twitter feed on April 21.
Sheppard was expected to play a regular role off the bench in his freshman season. However, the forward from Brooklyn, New York, tore the ACL in his right knee and had surgery last summer that slowed his progress. He returned to play in the middle of the SEC season, seeing action in seven games.
The Gamecocks won five of their final nine games after the suspensions, finishing 17-16 - the program's first winning season since 2008-09.
Martin's four-man class from a year ago has had its struggled.
Forward James Thompson never enrolled following his arrest for assaulting a woman in Louisiana. Guard TeMarcus Blanton injured his left hip last October and required surgery in an injury Martin's compared to the one that ended Bo Jackson's football career.
Guard Marcus Stroman was the most effective member of the class, playing 28 games as a backup point guard
Theus, the son of ex-NBA player and current Cal Northridge basketball coach Reggie Theus, played 24 games in two seasons with the Gamecocks. He averaged less than four minutes an appearance.
Martin said Theus, from Los Angeles, transferred to be closer to his family.
The departures will have an impact on South Carolina's front line. The team has just one experienced player taller than 6-7 in Laimonas Chatkevicius, a 6-11 center who started 26 games last season.
South Carolina has signed 6-7 McDonald's All-American P.J. Dozier and 6-9 forward Chris Silva.
It's the latest roster shake up Martin's had in three seasons at South Carolina.
The Gamecocks coach had four players leave after his first season, Eric Smith, Damien Leonard, Brian Richardson and RJ Slawson. After last season, Desmond Ringer and Jaylen Shaw chose to play elsewhere.