Men's Basketball | 8/20/2015 2:43:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Men's Basketball sophomore Wyatt Sikora has announced his retirement from basketball. The native of Key Largo, Fla. joined the Georgia Southern team this fall after transferring from Stetson University. Sikora's retirement is due to a medical condition which was discovered during preseason medical testing.

"Unfortunately, Wyatt will not be playing on our team at Georgia Southern," said Men's Basketball Head Coach Mark Byington. "While we are extremely disappointed, the health and welfare of Wyatt is our highest priority. He will remain a part of our program and we will do everything we can to support him. We are going to honor his scholarship and I feel good that he will be a Georgia Southern graduate one day."

The 6-foor-11 center played his freshman season at Stetson University alongside his brother, senior Kyle Sikora. He excelled within his role with the team and averaged 11.8 minutes per game with the Hatters.

"As a basketball player, I honestly believed that Wyatt had a chance to play in the NBA someday and be one of the greatest players ever to play at Georgia Southern," said Byington. "As much as he is hurting right now, I know he will be successful. He has a 4.0 GPA and is one of the top students on campus. I know Wyatt has a purpose in life, and it's far greater than basketball."

Sikora was to have missed the 2015-16 season to comply with NCAA transfer rules. He was expected to practice and be a member of the scout team, preparing the Eagles for the season.

"I want to publicly thank our trainers and medical staff for identifying Wyatt's medical condition now so that Wyatt can live a long, healthy life," added Byington. "We are fortunate at Georgia Southern to put the student-athlete's safety as a first priority and screen for any possible concerns."

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