Tirus Smith and Trey Wade announce they will leave UTEP basketball program

Two promising young players announced their decision to leave the UTEP basketball program within minutes of one another Tuesday.

Forward Tirus Smith and swingman Trey Wade posted notes on Twitter Tuesday morning expressing thanks to UTEP coaches and fans, but declaring their intent to leave.

Both players mentioned that they consulted family members before making the decision.

It is unclear where Smith and Wade plan to transfer.

Smith averaged just over four points and three rebounds per contest in his freshman campaign with the Miners. Smith showed promise in several early games including a 17-point effort against Howard, but he was hampered by injury late in the season.

Wade averaged about seven points and four rebounds per game as a freshman in 2017-18 after sitting out the previous season to focus on academics.

Wade had a 22-point breakout performance late in the season in a loss at UAB.

Smith is originally from Mississippi while Wade is from Georgia.

This news comes about two weeks after another UTEP player, guard Trey Touchet, announced his decision to transfer to McNeese State for his senior season.

UTEP named Rodney Terry their new men’s basketball coach on March 12 of this year, replacing interim coach Phil Johnson. Johnson had filled in for former coach Tim Floyd, who retired early in the 2017-18 season citing health concerns.