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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- South Carolina forward Damontre Harris has been granted permission to talk to other schools about transferring.

The school said Monday it would continue working with Harris about his options. If Harris leaves, he would be the second player to ask for a transfer since Frank Martin took over as coach for Darrin Horn.

Freshman forward Anthony Gill also asked for a transfer.

Harris is a 6-foot-9 sophomore who averaged 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 31 games last season. Harris led or shared the team lead in rebounding 13 times and in blocks 19 times during the 2011-2012 season.

Point guard Bruce Ellington has also decided to again play football and basketball next season instead of just focusing on basketball as he once indicated he would do.

Harris and Gill's departure would give Martin five scholarships available for the 2012-13 season.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)