Air Force will lose one of its biggest bodies for the 2023-24 season and, possibly, beyond.
The Falcons announced on Friday that 6-foot-10 center Lucas Moerman, a Colorado Springs native who attended Doherty High School, will step away from the program.
A junior, Moerman leaves the team after playing in 31 games and starting 27 during two seasons. As a freshman in 2021-22, Moerman set Air Force’s freshman blocks record with 42, which was second all-time in a single season.
He played in four games as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
Falcons' coach Joe Scott said Moerman hasn’t ruled out returning to the program, but he also noted that it isn’t something he is counting on. The coach said Moerman is in good academic standing and that the decision will allow him to “be the most successful, well-rounded cadet and future officer possible.”
Moerman was the Falcons’ second-tallest player. Only 7-foot freshman Wesley Celichowski is taller, and Celichowski is now the only center on the roster.
Coach Joe Scott said he will look to returning forwards Corbin Green and Beau Becker to play minutes at center.
“Corbin played center last year, and he’s going to have to give us some minutes there again,” Scott said. “Beau can, but he’s not going to give us 40 minutes.”
He also said, with work, 6-foot-9 freshman Caleb Walker could step into that role.
“It would be great if we had him come along,” Scott said. “I said to the staff, ‘We have to work with Caleb 20 minutes after every practice to get him along.’”
Air Force begins the 2023-24 season Monday against Portland State at home.
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