SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) Syracuse's Taurean Thompson, who had a solid freshman season for the Orange, is taking a leave of absence from the university, coach Jim Boeheim announced Monday in a brief statement.

"My understanding is he wants to go to school closer to home due to some family health issues," Boeheim said.

Thompson, a 6-foot-9 forward from New York City, played in all 34 of the Orange's games in 2016-17, starting 21 times. He averaged 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in playing 17.9 minutes a game and shot 54.6 percent from the field, often showing a deft touch around the basket.