Promising big man Steven Enoch plans to leave UConn and transfer to another school.

Enoch, a 6-foot-11 center from Norwalk, recently made his decision after talking to coach Kevin Ollie during a meeting following the end of the regular season.

During his sophomore season, Enoch appeared in 29 games, starting three, and averaged 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game for the Huskies, who suffered through an injury-plagued season and finished 16-17 overall. A foot injury forced Enoch to miss four games.

Playing time was just one factor in Enoch's decision.

"He's going to transfer," said Rick Enoch, Steven's father, on Friday. "He just didn't feel like he was being developed as we hoped. At UConn, (coach Ollie) has a more guard-oriented system. Steven has some offensive tools. Even though he has other areas that he needs to work on and get better in as any young guy, he just didn't spend enough time on the floor to really develop, that's pretty much what it comes down to."

The news came as a bit of a surprise considering the available playing time next season.

With the graduation of frontcourt regulars Amida Brimah and Kentan Facey, the team's top two rebounders, Enoch was expected to contend for a starting position next season. He has appeared in more career games at UConn (56) than any other returning UConn frontcourt player next season.

Transfer Terry Larrier, a 6-8 swingman, had a productive start to his first year at UConn, averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, before suffering a season-ending knee injury in game four.

Juwan Durham, a lanky 6-11 forward, saw limited action in 28 games while fellow future sophomore Mamadou Diarra sat out the season with knee issues. Incoming frontcourt recruits include 6-9 Josh Carlton, 6-8 Tyler Polley and Eric Cobb, a 6-9, 280-pound junior college transfer.

Enoch's departure ends what started as a dream scenario for the former St. Thomas More player. He targeted UConn as his college destination early in the recruiting process.

"He pretty much had his mind set on UConn from day one," Rick said. "We never really explored other schools. I'm sure he's struggling with that. He's in-state, it's UConn, and it's where he always wanted to be.

"Then again, he made his mind up for a reason. If he felt like he needed to leave there to prosper, so be it. I'm just there to support him."

Rick Enoch added that they haven't talked about where his son might transfer to yet.

"I presume it will be somewhere close to home," Rick said.

As far as UConn is concerned, it's a safe bet the coaching staff will hit the recruiting trail to try to find a replacement.

g.keefe@theday.com