CSUN Loses Washington Transfer to San Jose State : Basketball: Matadors’ Cassidy says Allen’s family wanted him closer to their home in Sacramento.

Sam Allen, a University of Washington basketball player who said in April he was transferring to Cal State Northridge, has changed his mind.

He still is transferring--but to San Jose State.

Pete Cassidy, Northridge’s coach, said Allen’s family wants him to attend school closer to home in Sacramento.

“I’m disappointed, but I understand his decision,” Cassidy said. “I think he’s doing what he is doing for the right reasons. I find no fault with that.”

Allen, a 6-foot-7 forward, averaged 7.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in almost 16 minutes a game last season. He started in nine of Washington’s 27 games and had a best performance of 17 points and 14 rebounds in an overtime loss against Montana.

He must sit out this season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules and will have one season of eligibility remaining.

Northridge, 8-18 last season, almost took an additional hit of bad news. While on his honeymoon last month, forward Ruben Oronoz injured both of his knees in a jet-ski accident.

Oronoz, a 6-5 junior, missed all of last season rehabilitating from back surgery after transferring from Rancho Santiago College.

Cassidy feared Oronoz’s latest injuries also might require surgery, but Oronoz learned this week that would not be the case. Both knees were sprained.

Oronoz said he expects to be completely recovered by the time Northridge opens fall practice in mid-October. At Rancho Santiago, he averaged 16.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and made 43.4% of his three-point attempts.

Northridge will play exhibition games Nov. 19 and 22 before opening its regular season with a nonconference game Nov. 26 against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.