Vanderbilt basketball coach Kevin Stallings announced today that sophomore forward JeJuan Brown has withdrawn from Vanderbilt for personal reasons.

"We understand and fully support JeJuan's decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavors," Stallings said in a statement.

Brown, who averaged 3.1 points and one rebound per game as a freshman, declined to provide reasons for his departure.

"It was personal, that's really all I can say," he said. "I don't want to go into it. Me and my mom agreed and both decided that this was the best for me at this time. I just felt that Vanderbilt wasn't the place for me and at the end of the day, I've got to do what's best for me."

Brown said he is currently looking to attend a junior college school to play basketball and then transfer to another Division I school the following year.
Vanderbilt, which advanced to the Sweet 16 a year ago, will miss Brown's presence on the frontline. It returns senior forwards Alan Metcalfe and Ross Neltner and welcomes freshman center A.J. Ogilvy and forwards Darshawn McClellan and Joe Duffy, a walk-on.

"It was hard telling (my teammates)," Brown said. "One thing about this squad, we always chill together off the court. I could see the sad looks on their faces, but they're still gonna be my brothers and I told them I'm still gonna holler at them and I wish them the best of luck."

Brown said his Vanderbilt experience was a positive one.

"We had a great group of guys and like I told them, they're still my brothers," he said. "I had very positive experience, getting to go to the Sweet 16 as a freshman. I think they've got the confidence to go back. They know what it takes to get there and they're talented enough to do it."