The Massachusetts men’s basketball team will be without forward Antwan Space to enter the season, as the graduate student and Texas A&M transfer has taken an indefinite leave to attend to “a private matter.”

The news comes five days before UMass’ start to the 2015-16 regular season. Space announced his plans to transfer to UMass last April and figured to take on a prominent role in the Minutemen’s front court, absent of 2015 graduates Maxie Esho and Cady Lalanne.

“Antwan Space will not participate in team-related activities as he attends to a private matter,” UMass athletics spokesperson Molly O’Mara said in a statement Monday night. “As this is a private matter we will have no additional comment.”

Space, who was immediately eligible to play this season, averaged 5.5 points and four rebounds per game in two years with the Aggies. With an inexperienced front court mainly composed of freshmen Malik Hines and Rashaan Holloway, UMass coach Derek Kellogg said at media day he expected Space to bring maturity and versatility to the position.

The Minutemen also have senior center Tyler Bergantino as well as redshirt sophomore forwards Seth Berger and Zach Coleman, who are also expected to get some time at power forward.

No further details on Space are available at this time.

Anthony Chiusano can be reached at [email protected] and can be followed on Twitter @a_chiusano24.