UConn is down to five returning players for next season after Juwan Durham announced Monday that he plans to transfer.

Durham, a 6-foot-11 reserve forward, is the third Husky in recent weeks to decide to leave the basketball program, joining center Steven Enoch and forward Vance Jackson.

The Huskies also lost recruit Makai Ashton-Langford, who changed his mind about his commitment to UConn and received his release.

"After talking to my family, teammates and friends I have decided not to return next year," Durham wrote on his Twitter account. "I'd like to thank the coaching staff and all of the fans for the support."

Since finishing an injury-plagued season with a losing record (16-17) for the first time in 30 years, coach Kevin Ollie got rid of associate head coach Glen Miller, replacing him with Raphael Chillious, who held the same position at the University of Washington.

The Huskies will lack size, muscle and experience in the frontcourt unless they sign more recruits during the spring period. Their three-player incoming recruiting class includes three forwards – 6-8 junior college transfer Eric Cobb, 6-9 Josh Carlton and 6-8 Tyler Polley.

Returning players include guards Jalen Adams, Christian Vital and Alterique Gilbert, swingman Terry Larrier and forward Mamadou Diarra.

As a freshman, Durham saw limited action last season, averaging just 8.3 minutes per game. He contributed 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds. During his playing career at Tampa Prep in Florida, he suffered two knee injuries but was still considered a consensus top 75 recruit. His recovery continued once he arrived in Storrs.

Rumors circulated last week that Durham was considering moving on.

When reached late last week, Joe Fenlon, Durham's coach at Tampa Prep, said that he talked to Durham and also spoke to Durham's family. As of Friday afternoon, Durham planned on returning for his sophomore season, according to Fenlon.

"I think it was a tough year for him," Fenlon said. "It was a tough year for everybody. They didn't have the results they expected and had injuries that affected the dynamics of a lot of things.

"... So many kids are transferring right now and not just out of UConn. Kids are just leaving on a whim now. Juwan is not an immediate satisfaction guy. He doesn't have to have everything right away. I told him you need to trust they have a plan for you and it's going to be executed."

Obviously, Durham changed his mind.

g.keefe@theday.com