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Four Rutgers players leaving the program

By Mike Peden

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Kandiss Barber (22) during the first half of the NCAA Women's basketball game between the Bucknell Bison and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on December 03, 2016, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Kandiss Barber (22) during the first half of the NCAA Women's basketball game between the Bucknell Bison and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on December 03, 2016, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The women’s college basketball season came to an end on Sunday, but turbulence for Rutgers could be just beginning.

On Monday, the school announced that four of their players were granted their release. The departing players are Shrita Parker, Kandiss Barber, Ashli Jeune and Aliyah Jeune.

“I have met with each player and they have informed me of their plans to transfer to other schools,” said head coach C. Vivan Stringer in a statement published by Rutgers. “We wish Shrita, Kandiss, Ashli and Aliyah success in their futures and thank all of them for their time at Rutgers.”

The annoucement means that Rutgers will enter next season without their top three scorers. Parker led the group at 12.1 points per game, including three 20-point performances. Barber (pictured below) chipped in 8.9 points per game, and Aliyah Jeune, the younger of the Jeune sisters, finished the season at 8.2 points per game. Ashli did not compete due to an ACL tear in preseason play.

PISCATAWAY, NJ – DECEMBER 03: Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Kandiss Barber (22) during the first half of the NCAA Women’s basketball game between the Bucknell Bison and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on December 03, 2016, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – DECEMBER 03: Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Kandiss Barber (22) during the first half of the NCAA Women’s basketball game between the Bucknell Bison and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on December 03, 2016, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The development is a major blow for a Rutgers program hoping to recover from a 6-24 campaign; Tyler Scaife sat out the year for undisclosed medical reasons, leaving the Scarlet Knights without their floor leader. Limping through the season, Rutgers failed to win a road game and finished last in the Big Ten Conference in scoring, averaging just 50.5 points per game.

With the depth of the Scarlet Knights now in question, uncertainty surrounding Stringer and the viability of her squad will likely increase heading into next year.

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