A once-heralded 7-footer’s season is over at Iowa State and his career as a Cyclone may be done as well.

Chris Alexander, who had seen limited action as a center on the ISU men’s basketball team, has withdrawn from classes for personal reasons and is no longer a member of the team.

He is the fourth Cyclone to leave the team in the last 10 months.

“I am withdrawing from classes at Iowa State for personal reasons involving my family,” Alexander said in a written statement. “I want to thank coach [Larry] Eustachy, the coaching staff and my teammates for being patient with me through this decision.”

The Riverdale, Ill., native did not travel with the team to Colorado on Feb. 8 and also missed Wednesday’s game against Texas Tech before his announcement Saturday. Eustachy said after the Colorado game that Alexander was in Chicago attending to his sick child.

“Chris felt it was in his best interest to be with his family,” Eustachy said in a statement. “We wish him the best of luck.”

The 7-foot-1 Alexander was averaging 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in nine games at Iowa State. Alexander joined the team after becoming eligible in December and saw his first action against Drake on Dec. 22.

He had a career high 25 points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 31 and started against Nebraska last month.

The Cyclones dropped their third straight game without Alexander at Kansas on Sunday.

It is not officially known if Alexander could return to the team next season, but Associate Media Relations Director Mike Green said it’s unlikely.

“I’m assuming he’s done for good,” Green said Sunday.

Alexander spent two years at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa prior to his ISU career. He was part of a 2002 recruiting class that was ranked No. 2 nationally by HoopScoop and No. 4 by Basketball News.

“Chris has unlimited potential,” Eustachy said after Alexander signed with Iowa State. “He is by far and away the quickest, most athletic big man I have ever had the opportunity to coach.”

Alexander followed the path of former walk-on Brad Davis, who had chronic back pain and departed from Iowa State in November. A month earlier, point guard Ricky Morgan decided to leave the team to concentrate on academics.

All-Big 12 performer Shane Power, who left the squad last April, has never explained his shocking decision to transfer to Mississippi State.