Brown's departure gives UO roster spot.

Byline: UO MEN'S BASKETBALL By Ron Bellamy The Register-Guard

Kamyron Brown is leaving the University of Oregon men's basketball program, creating a scholarship vacancy for the Ducks to add another point guard.

The Ducks announced Brown's departure Sunday afternoon in a brief news release.

"I sat down with Kamyron, and we both agreed the best situation for him to continue his growth as a player would be in another basketball program," coach Ernie Kent said in the news release.

"We support him and wish him well. Kamyron will be allowed to continue working with our players, coaches and support staff through the end of the school year."

Brown played in 61 games for the Ducks, a starter in 13 of those outings. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists per game in two seasons at Oregon. Brown played as a true freshman and has a redshirt season available.

Brown, from Anaheim, Calif., is a good friend of former Oregon player Drew Viney, who transferred to Loyola Marymount a year ago to be closer to home.

Brown was not available for comment Sunday, but his decision seems obviously basketball-related, as it was clear the Ducks wanted to upgrade their performance at the point guard position but were already at the 13-player scholarship limit with returning players and incoming recruits.

They're known to have been recruiting point guard Malcolm Armstead of Chipola College in Marianna, Fla., who made an official visit to Oregon the last weekend in April and has also visited St. John's. Armstead declined to answer questions when reached by telephone Sunday night.

Armstead, 6-feet and 195 pounds, has emerged as one of the most highly sought point guards in the nation this spring. He was named the best small player in the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament, and he's a teammate of UO signee Jeremy Jacob.

Like Jacob, Armstead would be a sophomore in eligibility next season.

Armstead has reportedly been offered scholarships by Iowa, Arkansas and Providence, among others. At one point, he was also reported to be on the verge of signing with Seton Hall, and has had interest from Kentucky and Rutgers.

Originally from Florence, Ala., Armstead attended a prep school for a year before playing his freshman season at Chipola.

For a team that reached the National Junior College tournament semifinals, Armstead averaged 6.9 points and 4.9 assists against 1.5 turnovers. The left-hander shot 52.7 percent from the field, including 51.9 percent from three-point range.