"After what happened this summer, I feel I need to be closer to my family, Kelly and Jason (Craig) and their family, and many other important people in my life. I have been nothing but extremely impressed with coach Lute Olson and the Arizona program and I will miss them greatly," he said.

"First and foremost I would like to thank coach Olson and the Arizona basketball family for what they have done for me. They have been very supportive and helpful through the toughest time of my life. I care greatly for coach Olson, Mrs. Olson, the assistant coaches, the players and everyone involved in this tremendous program.

"But being close to my loved ones has become a priority at this time," he added.

"I have been contemplating this decision since my arrival in Tucson. This decision is based solely on personal reasons."

"As Luke's mom told me, the whole thing about this development was that it was a 'life' decision for Luke," Arizona coach Lute Olson said late Monday night from Chicago, where the No. 2-ranked Wildcats were to face No. 6 Connecticut in the Great Eight tournament Tuesday night.

"We enjoyed having him with us, even though it was for a short time. We certainly are supportive of his decision, given the circumstances, and we wish him the best," Olson said.

Recker was seriously injured in an automobile accident while vacationing in Durango, Colo., in July. The driver of the vehicle in which he traveled, John Hollberg, was killed and his girlfriend and her brother, Kelly and Jason Craig, were seriously injured.

Recker, 21, has had to redshirt the 1 season at UA to establish residency. Recker would presumably become eligible to play at Iowa in the spring of 2001 as a second-semester junior.

A former Mr. Indiana Basketball prep star at DeKalb High School in Waterloo, Ind., Recker, 6-foot-6, had a career scoring average of 14.5 points in two seasons at the University of Indiana in 1999-99.