Oliver leaves Washington to play closer to his home

And then there was one.

A four-man recruiting class judged by some as maybe the best in Washington basketball history when it arrived has been whittled to one less than two years later with the news Tuesday that guard Adrian Oliver has decided to transfer.

The 6-3, 195-pound sophomore — part of UW's Class of 2006 that was rated by Scout.com as the No. 6 class in the nation — told Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar of his decision Tuesday morning, citing a desire to be closer to his home in Modesto, Calif.

"He thought being away from home was something that he could adjust to, but being here has just been too difficult for him, being away from his family," Romar said.

Oliver had said last season that he hoped his mother and stepfather would be able to move to Seattle, at one point indicating it was close to happening. But he said a few months ago that was no longer an option.

Oliver had also been battling injuries and illness, suffering a broken nose during the team's summer trip to Greece that required him to still wear a mask, a knee injury that caused him to miss one game, and a back injury that held him out of Saturday's game at Oklahoma State.

Oliver averaged 11.2 minutes in five games this season, averaging 3.4 points.

"He's been injured as much as anyone, and that doesn't make it any easier," Romar said. "You never want to see anyone go, but at the same time we'll move on."

Oliver played in all 32 games as a freshman a year ago, averaging 4.7 points and making 13 starts. Regarded as one of the team's most versatile guards, he had picked UW over Kentucky.

Two other members of the Class of 2006 are already gone — center Spencer Hawes declared for the NBA draft after last season and swingman Phil Nelson transferred to Portland State. The only one remaining is Quincy Pondexter.

Oliver is the third UW player to transfer in a year, joining Nelson and guard Harvey Perry, who left last December and is at the College of Southern Idaho.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com