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Ty Proffitt packed up his belongings, piled it into his car and began the drive from South Bend back to his old Kentucky home. On the way, he whipped out his cell phone, dialing old teammates to say goodbye -- not the way he intended but Proffitt had no choice.
The sophomore's quick decision to transfer left him with an abrupt departure so he could get back to London, Ky. and then begin to map out his search for a new school before the 12th day of class in order to preserve a half-year of eligibility.
"I've been thinking about it for a while," Proffitt said from London on Thursday. "Ireland, the playing time was kind of the same as it was for me last year. After me and coach (Mike) Brey talked for about three days, he was honest with me and I was honest with him and maybe it is something that I could look into to extend my basketball career past college."
Proffitt saw Tory Jackson, Kyle McAlarney, Jonathan Peoples and Ryan Ayers directly in front of him this season. Next year, even though Ayers and McAlarney depart, transfer Ben Hansbrough from Mississippi State becomes eligible.
While Proffitt was close with the players and coaching staff, minutes appeared scarce and Proffitt thought he possibly wouldn't see major minutes until his senior year.
Proffitt, who averaged 1 points and .4 rebounds in eight games last year, has already begun speaking with schools. He plans on visiting Kentucky and Morehead State today and has also looked into Tennessee Tech, Western Kentucky and Duquesne. Proffitt said Winthrop -- the team that beat Notre Dame in the NCAA tournament in 2007 -- contacted Brey about Proffitt's availability.
"I"m looking at everything," Proffitt said. "It's like a whole new recruiting process. Kentucky, maybe they don't have as many point guards as Notre Dame does. I'm looking for somewhere I can go in and be on the floor immediately. I'm thinking the whole process through and I want to go somewhere where I'm going to be happy.
"I was completely happy at Notre Dame but I also want to play. That was my main decision to move."
