Sometimes a player just wants a place that fits him or her better.

That was the case of NIU men’s basketball player Paige Paulsen. The sophomore was granted a release from his scholarship obligations to NIU on Thursday.

“Paige is just going to go out and look for a school that is a better fit for him,” NIU basketball coach Rob Judson said.

Judson didn’t name a specific reason for why Paulsen asked for the release. The forward may have been looking for more playing time and to be closer to his home in South Dakota, Judson said.

Transfers in college are very common things, Judson said.

“Sometimes guys just want to move on,” Judson said. “We had that happen with Ben Rand coming to NIU. But the main thing is that Paige had a good year for us and made a solid contribution to our program.”

Paulsen was unavailable for comment.

Judson said one factor that did not influence Paulsen’s decision was his health through last season. Paulsen played much of the beginning of the season with a torn ligament in his thumb and missed the last seven games with a concussion.

Paulsen, who averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21 games for the Huskies, does not know of a college he wants to transfer to, Judson said.

Judson met with Paulsen’s former teammates Sunday night to discuss the situation.

Guard Anthony Maestranzi, a teammate of Paulsen’s for two seasons, said he was very surprised when he found out his teammate was leaving.

“I never saw him have any problems,” Maestranzi said. “He was really well liked by everybody on the team. But he has to do what’s best for him and I know we all wish him the best of luck.”

Paulsen’s absence will open up a scholarship that Judson could use for this year’s recruiting class or save for next season.