After two years in University of the Philippines, Will Gozum has decided to leave the school.
Gozum, —who was crowned as the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Season 93 tournament and stands at 6-foot-7 — has already told Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol that he will no longer return to the team.
The 20-year-old was a blue-chip recruit back in 2018, but was only given limited playing time in his two-year stay in UP.
During his rookie year, the product of Mapua only played 4.2 minutes per game, totaling just 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Things did not get any better in his sophomore year, playing in just three games and logging in just six minutes and 54 seconds.
Still, Gozum harbors no ill feelings towards UP, saying that he will relish the experience for the rest of his life.
“Thankful ako sobra sa kanila ‘yung support na ginawa nila for me and my family. Sobrang wala pong katulad eh,” expressed Gozum.
“‘Yung UP community mismo, ‘yung support nila sa ‘min every game is walang katulad. Win or lose, they’re always cheering for us; and [the] time and effort na binibigay nila para lang makanood ng games namin is sobrang sarap sa feeling. So thankful talaga ako na napunta ako sa UP.”
According to Gozum, he has yet to commit to any school.
“I don’t have any school pa, pero I’ll move to a school that fits my playing style.”
Multiple sources, however, have told Tiebreaker Times that Gozum has already met with Letran, Saint Benilde, UST, and NU.
Gozum and his family are also set to meet with San Beda.
He has to sit out one year before being eligible to play again in either the UAAP or the NCAA.