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University of Colorado forward Aija Putnina is seen here. Putnina has decided to leave the CU women's basketball program to play professionally overseas.

BOULDER --University of Colorado forward Aija Putnina will forgo her final two years of collegiate eligibility in order to play basketball professionally in Europe, head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller announced Thursday.

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Putnina, who has hired an agent, also cites the desire to be closer to her home and family in her native Riga, Latvia, in making her decision.

"I decided to leave Colorado and move closer to home because of some family issues and it would be better for me and my family if I was somewhere closer to home," Putnina said. "Playing for coach Miller was a great experience and I learned a lot from her. She helped me to improve my game and I have grown tremendously on and off the court. I have to thank her for everything she has done for me."

In June, Putnina will play for the Latvian National Team in Madrid in their quest to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in August. She is also scheduled to play for Latvia at the U20 European Championships in Italy this July.

Putnina played in 60 games in her two seasons at Colorado averaging 5.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. This past season she was fourth on the team in scoring (7.7 ppg), second in blocks (1.3 bpg) and third in rebounding (6.6 rpg), starting 27 of CU's 34 games.

Putnina, who had five double-doubles in 2007-08, ranked ninth in blocks and 18th in rebounding in the Big 12 Conference as a sophomore. Her 44 blocks this season were the third most by a sophomore in team history and her 63 career blocks are 10th on CU's all-time list.

"I will miss my wonderful team and coaching staff and everybody who supported me," Putnina said. "I would like to thank the whole CU community for giving me this opportunity to be a part of this program. I wish them the best in the future and I will always be a CU Buff in my heart."

Putnina spent two years as a student at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colo., but as an exchange student could only play one year of varsity basketball. She made the most of that opportunity by averaging 12 points and seven rebounds a game while helping the Raiders to a second place finish at the 2006 Colorado State Class 4A Tournament.

"Aija spent four years as a student-athlete in the state of Colorado," McConnell-Miller said. "She's given everything to our program and has been a great addition. We respect her wishes to be close to her family and experience a professional career that we know she is anxious to begin. She has been a true Buff. We will miss her and wish her the best."