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Xavier freshman Jared Ridder leaves hoops program

Posted at 11:14 PM, Sep 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-22 23:15:19-04

CINCINNATI -- Jared Ridder’s tenure with Xavier’s basketball program has ended.
 
The 6-foot-7 freshman forward from Springfield, Missouri, announced Friday on Twitter that he is leaving the Musketeers’ program following many conversations with his family and coaches.
 
“The decision was difficult, but ultimately I needed to put my well being above anything else. I am blessed to have had the experiences I did in my short time at Xavier, and I look forward to the journey ahead,” Ridder wrote.
 
Kickapoo High School’s all-time leading scorer will withdraw from the university and move home, per a release from Xavier.
 
“Jared has indicated to the coaching staff that he has a desire to be closer to home,” Xavier coach Chris Mack said. “While we are disappointed, we all want Jared to be happy moving forward. We wish him nothing but the best.”
 
Ridder averaged 24.2 points last season and helped his AAU team, Mokan Elite, to a Peach Jam 17U title in July of 2016. He was Xavier’s first commitment to the Class of 2017, and he chose the Musketeers over Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Missouri State, Arkansas and Northern Iowa.
 
Ridder said then that he was impressed with the personal attention he received from Mack during the recruiting process. Xavier’s campus, he said, felt like home.
 
The Musketeers’ nationally ranked recruiting class started with five players and is now down to three: Paul Scruggs, Naji Marshall and Elias Harden. Kentrevious Jones committed to Xavier but has not arrived on campus.
 
Ridder, Scruggs, Marshall and Harden recently spent a weekend in New York City for the Big East’s Freshmen Fundamentals initiative, which was designed to help rookies transition to the demands of college academics and athletics.
 
Musketeer Madness, Xavier’s free event introducing the men’s and women’s hoops teams, returns to Cintas Center Oct. 20.