Northridge Welcomes Return of Andre Larry

Andre Larry, who left the Cal State Northridge basketball team two weeks ago because of personal reasons, has returned to the team, Coach Bobby Braswell said.

Larry, a 6-foot-9 senior forward and the Matadors’ second-leading scorer, is expected to play Saturday in the team’s Big Sky Conference game at Northern Arizona. After missing three games, Larry contacted Braswell requesting to rejoin the team.

“Ultimately, he said he misses it and he wanted to be back with the team,” Braswell said. “I didn’t even know it, but he was in the stands at the last game, sitting up in the rafters.”

Larry, averaging 13 points and 5.2 rebounds, left the team Jan. 25. Northridge (14-6, 6-3 in conference play) since has won two of three games.

Larry, after rejoining the team at practice Thursday, said he was dealing with a family crisis.

“I had to leave, I felt, to get some of my problems taken care of,” Larry said. “I took care of them. I prayed that I would be able to return and my prayers were answered.”

Larry watched the Matadors’ last home game, a victory over Idaho State, from the stands.

“I still have a love for the team and I felt I had abandoned them, in a sense,” Larry said. “But I’m back now.”

Braswell reiterated that Larry’s absence was of a personal nature and that the player was not forced to leave the team for disciplinary or any other reason.

“He felt he needed time away to tend to some issues, he asked for it and I gave it to him,” Braswell said. “His personal life is more important than anything.”

The Matadors welcome the return of Larry, among their best players. The front court is further fortified by the addition of Jermar Welch, who is expected to play Saturday after being sidelined three months because because of torn ligaments in his left hand.