UVa.: Landesberg leaving basketball program

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Virginia men’s head basketball coach Tony Bennett announced Tuesday (March 23) that sophomore guard Sylven Landesberg (Flushing, N.Y.) is leaving the University of Virginia and will not complete the current semester.

“I have discussed Sylven’s future with the Landesberg family and been informed that he will be leaving the University of Virginia to pursue his professional aspirations,” Bennett said. “I am thankful for the significant contributions Sylven made to the Virginia basketball program and wish him success in his future endeavors.”

Landesberg led Virginia in average points, assists and minutes played per game in 2009-10. He averaged 17.3 points, 2.9 assists and 32.1 minutes played a game while playing in 27 games. Landesberg averaged 4.9 rebounds a game and shot 81.0 percent (111-137) from the free-throw line. He made 44.3 percent (166-375) of his shots from the field, including 38.3 percent (23-60) from three-point range.

Landesberg was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2010 and was also a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District III Team. He earned ACC Player of the Week honors twice during the 2009-10 season.

During his two seasons in the Virginia program, Landesberg scored 930 points (16.9 ppg.), had 301 rebounds (5.5 rpg.) and 155 assists (2.8 apg.). He played in 55 games, starting 54, and averaged 33.2 minutes played a game. Landesberg shot 43.9 percent (316-719) from the field, including 35.1 percent (39-111) from three-point range, and 80.2 percent (259-323) from the free throw line.

As a freshman in 2008-09, Landesberg was the ACC Rookie of the Year, a unanimous selection to the 2009 All-ACC Freshmen Team and was a CBSsports.com second-team Freshman All-America selection. He earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors six times during the 2008-09 season.

Landesberg averaged 16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds 2.8 assists and 34.2 minutes played a game in 2008-09. He started 27 of Virginia’s 28 games that season. Landesberg led ACC freshmen in scoring and minutes played in 2008-09, and was third in rebounds and assists.