Center James Tchana said Wednesday night he will leave Fresno State after the spring semester and enroll at Long Island University, a Division II school in his adopted hometown. Tchana said he has given the school an oral commitment. He will have two years of eligibility remaining when he signs later this month.

Also, Paul George, a senior at Knight High-Palmdale, signed with the Bulldogs, becoming the first spring recruit added to the incoming class.

George averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds last season, and his team reached the first round of the state playoffs. He gives Fresno State depth in the backcourt, where he will share time at small forward with rising senior Dwight O’Neil. George can also play power forward, although coach Steve Cleveland wants him to gain weight in the coming months.

Tchana, a native of Douala, Cameroon, played in 15 games last season, and averaged 1.2 points and 0.6 rebounds.

The improvement of rising sophomores Nedeljko Golubovic and Brandon Webster and next season’s addition of Arizona State transfer Sylvester Seay was expected to further minimize Tchana’s role.