COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- One of Missouri's most productive players from last season is leaving the team.

Coach Mike Anderson has agreed to release junior guard Keon Lawrence from his scholarship. Lawrence averaged more than 29 minutes per game in 2007-08 and was third on the team with 11 points per game.

The move was announced Friday. Anderson says it is in the best interest of the player and the program.

The Tigers will have seven new players on the roster, including guards T.T. Tiller and Matt Lawrence, both of whom started games last season. Also returning are starting forwards DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons.

Lawrence told the Kansas City Star he wants to be closer to home. He is from Newark, N.J.

The Tigers were 16-16 last season and 6-10 in the Big 12.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)