Tuesday, July 30, 2013

ACC hoops recruiting: Robert Johnson gets offer from UNC

CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina made a play to bolster its already-strong 2014 recruiting class on Tuesday when it offered a scholarship to shooting guard Robert Johnson, according to Inside Carolina and other reports.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Johnson, who plays at Benedictine College Prep in Richmond, Va., is a four-star prospect, according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com.

Johnson is outside of the ESPN top 100, but Rivals ranks him the 84th-best prospect in his class. He played well in various AAU events this summer – apparently well enough to earn a scholarship offer from UNC – and, as you can see from his stats right here, Johnson is a shooter.

The Tar Heels are likely to need one of those. Regardless of when – or even if – P.J. Hairston plays for UNC this season, it’s probably not too far-fetched to believe that he won't be around beyond the 2013-14 season. His departure would leave UNC with no proven outside shooting presence. So Johnson would fit well into UNC’s plans.

The Tar Heels already have commitments from three players ESPN.com ranks among the top 14 in the class of 2014. The 6-foot-7 Justin Jackson and the 6-foot-6 Theo Pinson are lean, talented wing players. Then there’s Joel Berry, the 6-foot point guard.

UNC also has an offer out to Rashad Vaughn, who’s the No. 11 overall prospect in the nation, according to ESPN, and the top shooting guard in the class.

- Andrew Carter



Monday, July 15, 2013

Roy Williams on P.J. Hairston situation: There will be consequences

 North Carolina coach Roy Williams on Monday broke his silence on the controversy surrounding P.J. Hairston, the Tar Heels’ leading scorer who was arrested last month and charged with marijuana possession and driving without a license.
At the time of his arrest in Durham, Hairston was driving a rented vehicle that was paid for by Haydn “Fats” Thomas, a convicted felon with a long rap sheet. Hairston received a speeding ticket while driving another rented vehicle linked to Thomas.
Williams had declined comment on Hairston’s troubles but the silence ended on Monday.
“P.J. and I have had several discussions already and he knows he has made serious mistakes and there will be serious consequences as a result,” Williams said in a statement.
Williams added:“Other issues have been written about recently that are disturbing and bother me deeply. Our basketball program is based on great ideals and these issues are embarrassing. These are not common in my 10 years as head coach at UNC and they will all be dealt with harshly and appropriately at the correct time to ensure that our program will not be compromised.”
Here is his statement in full:
“I initially decided not to make a statement about PJ (Hairston) until the legal process had been finalized. I believe that is the fair way that everyone should be treated and is the way of our country.
PJ and I have had several discussions already and he knows he has made serious mistakes and there will be serious consequences as a result. Certainly the idea of suspending PJ has been discussed. However, he is not currently enrolled in summer school, is not practicing with the team and we have no games until November. There are several options available in terms of discipline but we are going to wait until the process is complete to decide on those options.
Other issues have been written about recently that are disturbing and bother me deeply. Our basketball program is based on great ideals and these issues are embarrassing. These are not common in my 10 years as head coach at UNC and they will all be dealt with harshly and appropriately at the correct time to ensure that our program will not be compromised.
We will care about each individual but there will be serious actions taken that will fix these issues. I take pride in our values and how we have conducted ourselves for a long time here at Carolina and this time will pass but it will be dealt with strongly.
We are talking about a program that has been a model of success on and off the court and it will be again. I want to thank our fans for their patience, understanding and support.”
--Andrew Carter

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

UNC AD Bubba Cunningham on P.J. Hairston case: UNC still gathering information

CHAPEL HILL — Amid the ongoing turmoil surrounding P.J. Hairston, the rising junior guard who was North Carolina’s leading scorer last season, university athletic director Bubba Cunningham earlier today said UNC was still gathering information and that it wouldn’t comment further until it had “sufficient understanding of the facts involved.”
Hairston has been embroiled in controversy for more than a month, since being arrested in Durham on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. On the night of his arrest, Hairston was driving a rental car that had been rented by Haydn “Fats” Thomas, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal record.
Here is Cunningham’s statement:
“The athletic department compliance staff and I are fully aware of recent media accounts related to our men’s basketball team. We take these matters very seriously and are looking into these reports and the inferences they contain with all due diligence.
“It is my practice not to comment on the individuals involved or the details surrounding these reports until we have sufficient understanding of the facts involved. We are still gathering information, learning information from other sources, and we will not comment until we have a strong grasp of each individual situation.
“Where the facts show mistakes in judgment and/or actions, Coach (Roy) Williams will take and I will support the appropriate disciplinary measures. The integrity of the University of North Carolina is of paramount concern to all of us and is the principle on which Coach Williams and the athletic department operate each and every day.
“The most responsible course of action, however, is to withhold judgment and comment until we are confident we have the facts to do so. I appreciate everyone’s understanding of that and we will bring these matters to resolution as soon as possible.”

Read more here: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/uncnow/unc-ad-bubba-cunningham-on-pj-hairston-case-unc-still-gathering-information#storylink=cpy
-Andrew Carter