Former IU standout Jeremy Hollowell transferring to Ga. State

Jeremy Hollowell is headed south.

Hollowell, a sophomore forward who was granted his release to transfer from Indiana last month, will move to Georgia State next season, where he will play for former IUPUI coach Ron Hunter. Chris Hawkins, Hollowell's former AAU coach, confirmed the move.

The former Lawrence Central star played in 29 games for Indiana last season, starting 15. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

According to Hawkins, Houston, Auburn and Iowa State were also recruiting Hollowell. Tulsa made a late play when Frank Haith took over the program after leaving Missouri, but by that point, Hollowell was deep into his recruitment.

"At the end of the day, I think he had to figure out who he was a priority for," Hawkins said.

At Georgia State, Hollowell will join former Louisville Cardinal Kevin Ware, who is also transferring to the Sun Belt program. Former Kentucky point guard Ryan Harrow joined Hunter's program via transfer last season.

Hunter's son R.J., a former Pike High School standout, also adds Indiana flavor to the Georgia State roster. Hollowell also has family in Atlanta, where Georgia State is located.

That familiarity factored heavily into Hollowell's decision, according to Hawkins.

"He's comfortable with them. He's known R.J. and coach Hunter forever," Hawkins said. "His mother is fine with him being down there. ... If he needed to come home, he could drive with R.J. or something like that."

The Panthers won 25 games last season and finished first in their conference in the regular season. A conference tournament loss to Louisiana-Lafayette pushed them to the NIT, where they lost in the first round at Clemson.

Hollowell will have to sit out next season and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.