DAYTON, Ohio -- Sammy Smith, a junior forward who said he was abducted outside his campus apartment before managing to escape in Texas, has been granted a release from the University of Dayton that will allow him to transfer.

Doug Hauschild, the school's sports information director, said Monday that Smith was granted the release after talking with coach Oliver Purnell.

The release will enable Smith to talk to other schools about transferring.

The 6-foot-5 Smith has not practiced with the team since Oct. 17, and has been staying at his Columbus-area home since Oct. 20.

Smith, 21, said he was kidnapped outside his campus apartment Oct. 17, and was forced to drive by his abductor. He said he managed to escape near Fort Worth, Texas, the next day when he drove off after his abductor got out of the car to urinate beside the road.

No arrests have been made in the case.

Smith's father, Michael Smith, said his son was shaken up by the ordeal. Last week, he said his son was not yet comfortable in returning to Dayton.

Smith played in 46 games in his two seasons at Dayton and averaged 1.2 points.