Noah Christensen has left North Dakota State University’s basketball program to focus on his mental health. Christensen, Breckenridge’s all-time leading scorer, was entering his freshman year after redshirting last season.

“The last two years, my senior and my freshman year at NDSU, was a struggle. No one knew until about a month ago,” Christensen said. “It wasn’t good for my mental health to play basketball right now.”

Bison 1660 Program Director Jeff Culhane had reported on Twitter that Christensen and NDSU Head Coach Dave Richman came to a mutual decision after meeting six weeks ago and discussing the future.

“I respect everything Coach Richman (does) and I love all the guys. It was tough to leave, but it was the right decision for me,” Christensen said.

Christensen intends to join a college program down the road and is hoping to reignite his love of basketball.

“I was trying to find the love of the game again, because I haven’t liked playing basketball or loved playing basketball since probably the end of my junior year,” Christensen said. “I’m just trying to find it and hopefully next year play somewhere and I’m taking this year off to just get my mind and my body right.”