On the court, Josh Dollard proved himself as one of the best big men in Division II.

The Auburn transfer teamed up with Chris Commons to help lead the Pacers to newfound heights last season. But after one season, Dollard has dropped out of school.

When USC Aiken began fall classes Thursday, Dollard was not enrolled. The 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward left to pursue a professional career, according to the Pacers' athletic department.

"Josh was a great asset to our program, but we will move on and work with the pieces we have in place," coach Vince Alexander said in a press release, which noted his limited availability because of a family emergency in his hometown of Houston.

Alexander did not immediately return messages left at his office and cell phone.

"I am really excited about the prospects of the upcoming season. I feel like we have a really good team and I am eager to get things going."

With Dollard out of the picture, USC Aiken has to replace all five starters as well as its main weapon off the bench from a team that went 25-8 and advanced to its first Southeast Regional final.

Senior forward Seth Leonard is the school's top returning scorer (3.8 average), and Alexander is bringing in six newcomers.

Dollard was a second-team all-Peach Belt Conference selection. He also was named to the conference tournament and regional tournament teams.

Dollard transferred to USC Aiken after playing two seasons in the Southeastern Conference. The Hemingway, S.C., native was dismissed from Auburn last summer for violating the school's athletic department policy. He sat out the previous season because of what the school described as "medical issues," according to the Web site oanow.com.

Dollard started 10 of 31 games for the Pacers. He was suspended for two games for violating athletic department policy.

Dollard finished the season eighth in conference scoring (15.3) points, fifth in rebounding (7.4) and sixth in field-goal percentage (.564).

Dollard posted a season-high 31 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in USC Aiken's quadruple-overtime win over Armstrong Atlantic State in the Peach Belt Tournament semifinals.

In USC Aiken's win over Catawba in the Division II Southeast Regional semifinals, Dollard recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds and 17 minutes.

"Obviously, he was one of the most physically talented players in the country at our level," Augusta State coach Dip Metress said. "Aiken's got a very good program. They've addressed their needs through recruiting."