Leodes Van Buren of Newbury Park High,...

Leodes Van Buren of Newbury Park High, the state’s all-time leading pass receiver, has left the Panthers’ basketball team, first-year Coach Paul Coffman said.

Van Buren, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior forward, said he was concerned about sustaining an injury and hurting his chances for a football scholarship.

“Plus, I want to put on some weight and I can’t really do that playing basketball,” Van Buren said. “I’m not going (to earn a scholarship) in basketball.”

As a junior, Van Buren averaged team-leading numbers in rebounding (6.2) and steals (2.6), and finished second in scoring (14.3).

Colorado, Nebraska, San Diego State and Fresno State are among the schools recruiting Van Buren.