Ralph Lewis, coach of the Huntsville (Ala.) Flight of the National Basketball Development League, said he released former Kansas University center Eric Chenowith for lack of improvement.

Chenowith, who averaged 8.4 points and 5.5 rebounds in 33 games with Huntsville, was released on Monday.

“The purpose of this league is a developmental league, and I don’t think he (Chenowith) was making the right steps,” Lewis told the Huntsville Times.

The 7-foot Chenowith recently had been replaced in the starting lineup by 6-11, 240-pound center Giannis Giannoulis, a 27-year-old native of Greece.

Sources said Chenowith asked for his release so he could play in Europe. Without obtaining a release, he could not sign a contract and play in Europe until the end of June.

Chenowith also reportedly has been contacted about possibly playing for summer teams of the NBA’s L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers and Denver Nuggets.