Jen Harris said Monday from her home in Harrisburg that she was not fully aware of the consequences when she filed for her release from the Penn State women's basketball program early last week.

The recently released sophomore guard added that when she filed for permission to speak to other teams, she did not know that it would completely dash any possibility of her returning to the Lady Lions due to a personal understanding between Lady Lions coach Rene Portland and her team, according to assistant sports information director Erin Whiteside.

"I did not know that it was a Penn State rule," Harris said. "I didn't know that [once I asked for my release] it was their decision."

Whiteside said Monday that the procedure in which the situation was handled is consistent with one that the women's basketball team has used in the past.

"I'm confident that the process and ramifications of the release were made clear by an official from the department when Jen Harris signed her agreement," she said.

Whiteside could not elaborate on whether this information was conveyed to Harris in person, or in the letter she received granting her release.

Whiteside also said that Harris received an exit interview form, which is given only to players who have finished their time at Penn State, shortly after she requested permission to speak to other schools last week.

The NCAA bylaws on transfers do not stipulate that a player cannot return to his or her original team after asking for and being granted permission to speak to other schools.

NCAA bylaw 14.5.5.2.8 (Return to Original Institution without Participation Exception) states that a player can go through the full transfer process, enroll at a second four-year collegiate institution, return to the original institution and suit up to play even if he or she has not sat out for a full-year under the NCAA's "residence requirement."

In the men's game, University of Kentucky freshman guard Joe Crawford actually took advantage of this option to return after speaking to other schools regarding a transfer earlier this season.

Crawford scored five points in 17 minutes of playing time for the Wildcats in their Elite Eight loss to Michigan State, Sunday.

Harris has stated that Portland told her to seek a transfer after Penn State's NCAA tournament loss to Liberty on March 20.

Portland, who had issued a statement but has been unavailable for comment since Harris' allegations were made public last week, officially released a statement Monday in a press release.

Portland's statement confirmed that Harris and Lisa Etienne requested and were granted a release from the Lady Lions last Thursday.

The statement did not confirm or deny the allegations that Harris, Etienne or Bland was told by Portland to seek another program.

"Out of respect for all of our student-athletes," Portland said in the statement.

"The events leading up to their release requests, along with all individual conversations, will continue to be treated as an internal team matter."