Top recruit Larkin leaves DePaul

When point guard Shane Larkin committed to DePaul last winter, he represented the first Top 100 recruit for Oliver Purnell and his staff.

Larkin spent six weeks at DePaul this summer and participated in the team’s workouts to prepare for next week’s trip to France, but he won’t be making that trip or any other in a DePaul uniform.

The school announced Thursday that Larkin has left the school due to a medical condition that requires him to be closer to his Orlando, Fla., home.

“I’m disappointed he’s not going to be here, and we’re concerned about Shane’s well-being,” Purnell said in a statement. “I support his decision.”

A month ago when DePaul began practicing for France, Purnell was eager to add Larkin’s talents to a backcourt featuring all-Big East freshman pick Brandon Young and senior Jeremiah Kelly.

“We like the fact he can shoot the outside shot,” Purnell said. “We need that. He’s a very good athlete, so we want that to show up at the defensive end of the floor.

“We anticipate (Larkin and Young) will play a lot together.”