CEDAR RAPIDS — Adam Haluska, after saying May 20 that rumors of his desire to leave Iowa State were “just totally false,” will not play for the Cyclones next season.

“We’re as puzzled as you are,” said ISU athletics director Bruce Van De Velde as he addressed reporters after the Cedar Valley Cyclone Club banquet Wednesday.

Haluska, a sophomore-to-be who averaged 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a freshman, was granted an unconditional release from his scholarship Wednesday, Van De Velde said.

Members of the Haluska family, including Adam, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

“Adam has made the decision to pursue his basketball career at another school,” ISU head coach Wayne Morgan said. “It’s a surprise. It’s not something you want to have happen. But I’m sure we will absorb, go on, and will be fine.”

Morgan said he thought he had “turned a corner” with Haluska last week, and that he didn’t know what had changed Haluska’s mind.

“[The family has] not indicated anything in particular. They just said it was a family, personal decision,” he said.

The unconditional release allows Haluska to attend any Division I school in the country and play after sitting out one season, according to NCAA rules. Because last year was Haluska’s first in college, he will be able to redshirt next season and still have three years of eligibility remaining in the 2004—2005 season.

Haluska could also transfer to a school in a lower division without missing a season.

Van De Velde said Haluska’s father, Steve, called him Tuesday to ask for the release, and that the athletic department granted the release this morning after consulting with Morgan.

On May 20, days after Morgan was hired as head men’s basketball coach, following Larry Eustachy’s resignation, Haluska told the Daily he had not considered leaving.

“I didn’t really see a reason for making a statement about staying at Iowa State when I hadn’t said anything about leaving,” he said. “[The ISU team] just needs to come together. We’re all going to be successful next season. We just need to stick together on this.”

Eight days later, he was gone.

Haluska’s announcement comes one day after senior forward Jackson Vroman was suspended indefinitely because of his arrest Saturday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Van De Velde he would be speculating if he commented on whether Vroman’s problem played a role in Haluska’s decision.

“You’d have to ask the Haluskas about that,” he said.

Haluska committed to former ISU coach Eustachy in November 1999, during his sophomore year of high school in Carroll.

Talk about Haluska’s status began soon after photos surfaced of Eustachy drinking beer and kissing University of Missouri students at a private party following Iowa State’s 64-59 loss to Missouri in Columbia, Mo. on Jan. 21.

Rumors were rampant on Internet message boards and local sports talk radio shows in late April and early May that Haluska planned to leave Iowa State.

But Haluska seemingly ended those discussions with his announcement last week.

Since being hired on May 14, Morgan has prompted four members of Iowa State’s recruiting class for next season to reaffirm their commitments. One recruit, forward Damion Staple of Southeastern Illinois College, said he asked to be released from his letter of intent to attend Iowa State, but changed his mind after meeting with Morgan and ISU assistant coach Bob Sundvold.

Iowa State had a 17—14 record in a season that ended with a 54—53 loss to Iowa in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Haluska had a strong start to the season, scoring in double figures in Iowa State’s first nine games. But he averaged only 7.7 points in Big 12 Conference games.

In high school, Haluska played Amateur Athletic Union basketball with Iowa players Jeff Horner and Greg Brunner, leading to speculation that Haluska may ultimately play for the Hawkeyes.