Brachen Hazen transferring from Arkansas

University of Arkansas freshman Brachen Hazen at practice Monday July 25, 2016.

ROGERS -- Rising sophomore forward Brachen Hazen is transferring from Arkansas, coach Mike Anderson said Monday at his annual charity golf tournament.

Hazen requested a release last week and Arkansas granted it. Anderson didn't indicate a potential destination for the the 6-foot-8 Indiana native.

"You don't want to lose a guy, especially a guy like Brachen," Anderson said. "I just think his upside, his potential, is big."

Hazen played in 42 total mop-up minutes as a freshman, appearing in just 14 games and averaging 0.2 points and 0.9 rebounds. Arkansas has 3 returning players at Hazen's position — seniors Dustin Thomas and Arlando Cook and sophomore Adrio Bailey — who played more than Hazen last year.

"This year, there were some guys that were playing well in front of him," Anderson said. "They were competing for playing time. (Next) year, I thought it would get a lot better for him and then those guys are seniors.

"With a skilled forward like Brachen, it's just a matter of him getting maturity. But you notice it around the country, everybody's in a hurry to do something."

Hazen's departure frees a scholarship, leaving the Razorbacks with 12 of the possible 13 filled heading into the summer. Anderson didn't rule out the potential of filling the slot. Arkansas could add a late high school or junior college signee or potentially target a graduate transfer who would be immediately eligible to play.

"I never stop recruiting, so as we move forward my staff and I are seeking and trying to find some guys that can impact," Anderson said. "One thing you don't want to do is bring somebody in here and all the sudden it's the same thing, it's a revolving door, they come here and they leave. So if it's going to be someone, it's going to be the right person."