State College, Pa. - May 21, 2001 - Penn State Nittany Lion basketball player Marcus Banta (Springfield, Oh.) has withdrawn from the University Park campus for academic reasons and will not be a member of the Nittany Lion basketball team next year.

"It is very unfortunate that Marcus had to withdraw," Penn State head coach Jerry Dunn said. "The Penn State basketball family wishes him well in his future endeavors."

Banta was a two-year letterman for the Nittany Lions. The 6-10, 230-lb., forward/center played in 32 games for Penn State this year, averaging 1.7 ppg and 1.8 rpg, as the Lions went 21-12 and advanced to the NCAA's Sweet 16. He also played in 31 games as a freshman. Over two years, Banta averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.2 rpg in 63 games played.