Former Trinity High star Jordan Laguerre, who helped the Manchester school reach three consecutive Division I (then-Class L) boys' basketball championship games and the 2008-09 state title, left the University of Massachusetts and its men's hoop program for personal reasons, according to published reports.

Attempts Saturday to speak with Laguerre — the 2008-09 Union Leader Player of the Year in NHIAA boys' basketball — were unsuccessful.

“I was on the phone with him earlier today. He asked me not to share any personal decisions he has made in his life, in regards to playing or not playing basketball in the future,” said Trinity coach Dave Keefe, who has known Laguerre since he was an eighth-grader at Hillside Middle School. “I said, 'I can respect that,' and that was basically it.”

The Daily Hampshire Gazette of Northampton, Mass., citing “sources close to UMass” said Laguerre has not asked for his release to transfer. His exit from the program, however, enabled UMass to give Laguerre's scholarship to an incoming recruit.

Should Laguerre plan to again play basketball at the collegiate level, one of two scenarios is likely.

If he is in good academic standing at UMass, Laguerre could transfer to another Division I school and sit out one year, or play immediately at either the Division II or Division III level.

If grades are the issue, NCAA rules require he first take the steps necessary to regain academic eligibility at UMass. Playing junior college basketball is the other option.

Southern New Hampshire University men's basketball coach Stan Spirou said he offered Laguerre a scholarship several years ago. The 6-foot 2-inch standout was a high school sophomore at the time.

Asked if Division II SNHU would again offer Laguerre, assuming he meets eligibility requirements, Spirou respectfully declined to answer.

“There's no way I can comment on what's going to happen in the future,” he said.

Laguerre transferred from Trinity after his junior year, one that included a 26-point performance in the title-game win against Queen City rival Memorial. He signed with UMass after a two-year stint at New Hampton School, but never played in a game for the Minutemen.

Considered a partial qualifier last season, Laguerre, by rule, could not play in games or travel with the Minutemen. His status allowed him to practice with the team, though a stress fracture in the shin bone kept him off the court completely.

Laguerre wasn't expected to start this coming season for coach Derek Kellogg. But the ex-Trinity talent possessed the ability to play multiple positions, and figured to receive playing time off the bench.

“I've been playing my whole life and now I just stopped,” Laguerre told the Sunday News in February. “It's tough.”