Chapel Hill, NC -- (Sports Network) - North Carolina announced Friday that junior power forward Alex Stepheson has decided to transfer to a school on the West Coast to be closer to his family due to several health concerns.

The Los Angeles native missed two games this season, wins on January 2 and 6 over Kent State and Clemson, respectively, to be home because of a family illness.

"My family is dealing with some health challenges at this time and as a result I have made the decision to transfer to be closer to home," says Stepheson. "The two years I have spent as a Tar Heel have been great. My teammates, Coach Williams and his staff and the whole Carolina family are the best. I wish to thank the UNC fans for all their support and encouragement. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a Tar Heel and I wish the program the best in the future."

Stepheson averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game off the bench for the Tar Heels last season. He upped his scoring average to six points per game during North Carolina's Final Four run in the NCAA Tournament, and scored in double figures in both of the Tar Heels' opening weekend wins, over Mount St. Mary's and Arkansas.

"I am extremely, extremely disappointed but I feel so great about Alex that I understand his decision to transfer," says head coach Roy Williams. "He is doing this because of health concerns and by being closer to home he will be able to provide the necessary support and help his family needs at this time."

"He is a wonderful kid. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching him and know that he would have contributed so much more in the next two years," added Williams. Nevertheless, I have tremendous respect for Alex and know that he will always be part of our Carolina Basketball family. I'll miss him, but he will always be important to me."