Mississippi State freshman guard Rodney Hood decided Saturday night to transfer to Duke.

“I feel like coach (Mike Krzyzewski) and the staff can get the most out of me as a player and academically,” Hood said told ESPN.com. “I liked the teammates and felt like we have a good chance to compete for a championship.”

Hood, who must sit out next season according to NCAA transfer rules, will have three years of eligibility. He averaged 10.3 points and 4.8 rebounds a game last season.

The Meridian, Miss., native chose Duke over Ohio State, Memphis and Florida State. He was ranked the 16th best high school player in the country by Rivals.com in 2011.

With Hood’s departure, Mississippi State has lost six of its top seven scorers from last season’s team that went 21-12. The Bulldogs lost in the first round of the NIT.

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