Seth Curry is transferring after one year at Liberty, Flames coach Ritchie McKay confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Curry finished his freshman year averaging 20.2 points per game, more than any freshman in Division I. He set the Liberty and Big South Conference record for freshman scoring and helped the Flames to a school-record tying 23 victories.

McKay said Curry first approached him with the news Monday morning, before the Flames played their CIT quarterfinal game against James Madison at the Vines Center. LU lost 88-65. McKay informed the team of Curry’s decision Tuesday morning.

“We had gotten word that Seth and his family were exploring other options,“ McKay said. “So I asked Seth yesterday morning and he said he would make a decision once the season was over. I said OK. Let’s wait until the season’s over and we’ll visit. In the meantime, keep doing your job, and we’ll keep doing ours.“

Curry’s reasons for transferring were simple.

“They only gave us one,“ McKay said. “He wanted to play in a more high profile league. He said it was nothing against us. I genuinely believe that. Seth and I have a great relationship and I love the kid. He enjoyed playing for us and being a part of our program. I think he was frustrated by the constant schemes to stop him and felt like if he was playing in a conference that starts with an ‘A’ and ends with a ‘C,‘ that one of those schools would have some other guys around him that he wouldn’t bear such a brunt of the scoring load. Seth is a tremendously competitive kid, not afraid of any challenge. I don’t fault him. I want what’s best for Seth. It was tough for us. Kind of a one and done deal. But that’s the risk you take when you recruit a really good player.“

Curry didn’t give any indication of what schools he was interested in transferring to.

Curry released a statement through the Liberty athletics media relations office. Seth’s father, Dell Curry, asked that Seth not be made available to the media. The statement is as follows:

“Today I am announcing that I will not be returning to Liberty for my sophomore year. This is a difficult decision that I have reached after close consultation with my family and others close to me, and it is based on my desire to develop as an athlete to the fullest of my potential and take advantage of new opportunities that may be available to me in a higher rated conference. My freshman year at Liberty has been an incredible experience. It has been a time of learning, growth and discovery of my potential as a person, a student and an athlete. For that I am deeply indebted to all of those who have influenced and supported me here – Coach McKay and his staff, my great teammates, my teachers, and my friends. You have given me memories that will last a lifetime, and for that I cannot find words to express my gratitude.“

Look for a full story in tomorrow’s News & Advance.