It's an all too familiar scene for the Penn State men's basketball team.

Last season, four players left the Penn State program for different reasons. Brandon Cameron and DeForrest Riley-Smith transferred in the middle of the season. During the offseason, Jan Jagla opted to play professionally in Europe and Robert Summers transferred.

Now, sophomore guard Ben Luber has asked to become an inactive member of the Nittany Lions basketball team. A release from Penn State sports information stated that Luber "has decided to concentrate on some personal matters that are more important than basketball at this time."

"Luber will continue to be involved in all the team's activities and will attend practices and games," the release said. "His active playing status will be re-evaluated on a daily basis."

Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said he understood Luber's decision.

"I've had some conversations with Ben and he's going through some things, and really just felt like he needed to step away from basketball," DeChellis said.

Luber watched the entire game against Lehigh from the bench in street clothes.

Friday's 73-64 win against the Mountain Hawks was the first game of the point guard's career in which he did not play. Luber started 26 of 28 games last season and averaged 39 minutes per game. The sophomore is one of the Lions' most experienced players, as he and Marlon Smith are the only two starters returning from last season.

"I don't think [being inactive has anything to do with possibly transferring]," DeChellis said. "We are not talking basketball stuff. It is completely not basketball-related whatsoever."

Freshman Mike Walker started his first game at point guard while filling in for Luber, and recorded seven points and three assists.

Junior Aaron Johnson, who is one of Luber's closest friends on the team, said he thinks Luber will be active again soon.

"Ben's just got some personal issues he's dealing with right now," Johnson said. "I think he'll be back shortly some time, but however long it takes him, that's first. There are more important things than basketball in life."