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DePaul Releases Pitchford From Letter Of Intent

CHICAGO (AP) DePaul has released recruit Walter Pitchford from his national letter of intent after initially denying his request.

New coach Oliver Purnell says "there were external circumstances" when DePaul turned down the request, and an NCAA appeal "confirmed what we felt were valid reasons" to so. Purnell says his staff has since decided to grant the release."

Pitchford, a 6-foot-10 center from Grand Rapids, Mich., was recruited by former coach Jerry Wainwright, who was fired in midseason. After Purnell replaced interim coach Tracy Webster, Pitchford decided he wanted to go elsewhere.

Updated July 12, 2010

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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