Following a May microfracture surgery on his left knee, junior point guard Josh Newkirk will transfer from Pitt, the school announced Sunday.

According to head basketball coach Jamie Dixon, Newkirk is hoping to get in closer proximity to his home state of North Carolina.

“Josh is looking to get closer to home while he recovers from knee surgery and we are in full support of his decision,” Dixon said via a school release. “He has been an excellent student and strong representative of the University of Pittsburgh. We wish him the best of luck in his rehab and recovery.”

Newkirk averaged 5.9 points per game last season, appearing in all 34 games and starting four contests.

With Newkirk’s departure leaves Pitt with senior James Robinson, redshirt junior Chris Jones, graduate transfer Sterling Smith and freshman Damon Wilson as the only guards remaining on the roster.

The team opens their season Nov. 13 in Okinawa, Japan against Gonzaga.