CSU's Carlton Hurst transferring to South Dakota

Carlton Hurst is transferring to South Dakota to play for the coach who first convinced him to come to CSU, he said Monday.

South Dakota coach Craig Smith was an assistant at Colorado State University under Tim Miles when Hurst signed with the Rams out of Aurora Central High School in suburban Denver, where he was a two-time all-state selection. Smith, who left CSU with Miles to join his staff at Nebraska, guided South Dakota to a 17-16 record and the title game of the Summit League Tournament last year in his first season at the school.

Hurst, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from Aurora, will have two years of eligibility at South Dakota after sitting out next season under NCAA transfer rules.

"I've known Coach Smith since he was recruiting me out of high school," Hurst said. "We've kept in touch over the years. We've had a connection for a very long time."

Hurst is "is a fierce competitor" who "will compete on both ends of the floor," Smith said.

"In our league, he's an elite level athlete who has tremendous upside."

CSU coach Larry Eustachy could not be reached for comment Monday or when Hurst announced his plans to transfer April 24

Hurst had a reduced role last year on a CSU team that set a school record for wins while going 27-7 and advancing to the National Invitational Tournament. He played an average of 9.1 minutes a game, with one start, and averaged 1.9 points and 1.5 rebounds a game. As a freshman in 2013-14, Hurst played an average of 16.4 minutes a game, with five starts, and averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds a game.

The opportunity for more playing time was a factor in his decision to leave CSU, Hurst said, but it wasn't the only consideration. He also considered Texas Southern before choosing South Dakota.

"I liked playing with the players there; they're really good players," Hurst said. "I liked the campus, and it just kind of fit my personality, so it felt like the right move. … I just felt like I needed something new, to experience new things."

Hurst is one of three guards from other NCAA Division I programs transferring to South Dakota who will have to sit out next season. Air Force's Matt Mooney and Iowa's Trey Peterson also have signed with the Coyotes, the school announced. Shy McClelland, a guard from Mesa Community College in Arizona, also is joining the program with two years of eligibility remaining, but he'll be able to play right away this season.

Smith said he's trying to put the classes back in balance "while maintaining the integrity of our program" after having just one freshman and one sophomore in the program when he was hired.

Sitting out next season, Hurst said, will give him a chance to get comfortable with the school and program and focus on the parts of his game that need the most improvement, he said.

"I feel like coming in, I can really contribute to the team," he said.

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