MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Evan Nelle is the latest high profile collegiate player to switch schools, as the guard confirmed that he is set to transfer to De La Salle University after starring for San Beda University for two seasons.

Nelle missed the Red Lions' practices last week amid reports that he was set to transfer. The guard confirmed on Tuesday that he was indeed leaving San Beda to instead play for the Green Archers in the UAAP.

"I want to get out of my comfort zone," Nelle said in a statement to ABS-CBN Sports. "I want to continue to spread my wings."

On Instagram, Nelle expressed his gratitude to San Beda, which he called "the place that had my heart for the last eight years."

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A post shared by Evan Nelle (@evannelle) on Jan 20, 2020 at 8:00pm PST

"San Beda, thank you for being my home," he said. "This is not goodbye. This is just me getting out of my comfort zone."

He gave special thanks to former Red Cubs coach JB Sison, whom he called his mentor. "Without you, I wouldn't even be the player and person I am today," he said.

• READ: La Salle homecoming in UAAP 84 for ex-San Beda playmaker Evan Nelle

"To my Red Cubs and Red Lions family, you guys gave me the best memories," Nelle said. "The relationship we've created is not to be forgotten. I will forever cherish each and every one of you."

Nelle was a part of the Mythical Team in the NCAA Season 95 tournament, and was the MVP runner-up to teammate Calvin Oftana. He averaged 10.2 points and a league-best 6.7 assists per game for the Red Lions, who swept the elimination round before losing to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the best-of-3 finals.

The point guard apologized for their failure to win the title, which would have been San Beda's fourth straight.

"It was the ultimate goal but we fell short, and I'm truly sorry for it," he said.

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