BUFFALO, NY ­ Senior forward Duane Williams (Detroit, MI/Denby) has left the University at Buffalo men's basketball team to pursue his opportunities to play professional football.

Williams, a two-year starter on the UB football team who appeared in seven games this

Duane Williams

season with the basketball team, expects to workout with National Football League teams this spring and will devote his attention to training for those opportunities.

"We're disappointed to not have Duane as he has done whatever we've asked of him during his time with us," said men's basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon. "However, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity which he needs to pursue. We wish him the best."

Williams earned All-MAC honorable mention accolades after his junior season when he posted nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss. As a senior, Williams recorded 64 tackles, including nine for losses and broke up three passes. As a junior, the Detroit native played in five basketball games, averaging 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds.