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Logan • Utah State sophomore center-forward David Collette is transferring, the Salt Lake Tribune learned Wednesday afternoon. The school confirmed the news on Wednesday night.

"I was shocked when he came into my office today and said he was going to quit," coach Tim Duryea said in a statement. "I think there were a lot of factors in play that, unfortunately, have become a trend in college basketball of schools poaching other schools' players. I don't feel good and don't like how things transpired. But we will move on and get ready for our season opener on Friday."

Collette, who is 6-foot-9, averaged 12.8 points and five rebounds last season as a redshirt freshman. He was the Aggies' No. 2 scorer and rebounder. He led the Aggies in blocked shots (56) and field-goal percentage (.591).

Collette attended Murray High School. As a senior, he led the Spartans to a 20-4 record and a co-region championship. He served an LDS Church mission in Charlotte, N.C., from 2012-2014. He is married.

Collette was expected to start in the Aggies' 2015-16 opener at Weber State on Friday night. Although he suffered a late-summer ankle sprain, he practiced throughout the preseason and played in Utah State's two exhibition games.

Collette had 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting in an 87-48 win over Panhandle State. He scored 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting in a 77-60 loss at Cal State-Monterey Bay.

When preseason practice started, coach Tim Duryea called Collette's ankle sprain "severe" — one that also resulted in tightness in his Achilles and a "hot spot" on the outside of his foot, probably because he started compensating for his sore ankle. X-rays and MRIs did not indicated any unexpected damage, however.

"We haven't been told anything that makes us think otherwise," Duryea said at the time. "Nobody has recommended any kind of surgery or anything like that."

The highlight of Collette's freshman season came at Boise State. His 3-pointer at the buzzer lifted the Aggies to a 62-61 win over the Broncos, who eventually qualified for the NCAA tournament.

Asked what happened on the play leading to his game-winner, Collette smiled and told the Tribune, "I have no idea. I got the pass, put it up and it went in. … I feel great for everybody. We deserved that win. Big time."