UNC coach Roy Williams 'tired' of reading, talking about P.J. Hairston

GREENSBORO -- Even after making five birdie putts during a nice round of golf with Davis Love III, Roy Williams was in no mood to talk about P.J. Hairston today after Williams finished playing in the pro-am of the Wyndham Championship.

"Not talking about P.J.," Williams said when I asked him how his conversations have gone recently with Hairston, North Carolina's leading scorer whom Williams suspended indefinitely. "I've read about it all damn summer, I'm tired of reading about, tired of talking about it. If you want to talk about anything else, I'll talk about anything."

Indeed, Hairston has created plenty of reading material this summer. There was his arrest in early June in Durham, where police charged him with misdemeanor marijuana possession and driving without a license. Both charges were later dropped, but Hairston at the time of his arrest was driving a 2013 GMC Yukon that had been rented by Haydn "Fats" Thomas, a Durham resident and convicted felon.

Hairston received a speeding ticket in May while driving another rental vehicle, a 2012 Camaro, that has been linked to Thomas. Then, in late July, Hairston was charged with speeding and reckless driving on his way to Charlotte. After that, Williams promptly suspended Hairston, a rising junior who considered entering the NBA draft before deciding to return to school.

"It's been a little hectic," Williams said of his summer, "and some things that make it not as much fun. But I've still got one of the best jobs in the world."

He later said "it's been a hard summer. No question about that."

During the pro-am, Williams played a foursome that included Love III and Bubba Cunningham, the UNC athletic director. Williams said he has known Love III since the days when he played golf at UNC.

"I was there the day that Michael Jordan broke his driver on the practice range," Williams said. "So we go back a long ways."

Amid all the stress of the summer, Williams appeared at ease on the course. Between shots he chatted with fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

The drama surrounding Hairston, though, remains unsettled. Even before his suspension, Williams in a statement said Hairston would face "serious consequences." If the rental cars Hairston drove are deemed to have been an extra benefit, Hairston would face an NCAA-mandated suspension of three to nine games, depending on the monetary value of the rental cars during the time Hairston drove them. In addition, he'd face additional punishment from Williams.

Williams was in no mood to discuss Hairston on Wednesday, though he said he's "anxious" for the start of the practice.

"With the new rules, we can start as early as Sept. 27, which makes the season even longer," Williams said. "I thought it was long enough beforehand. But I'm anxious. I think we've got a great group of young kids that I'm going to enjoy working with.

"This is a good release right here, getting out on the golf course, and I enjoyed the heck out of it today."

- Andrew Carter

Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones to take Oct. 25 official visit to Duke

Jahlil Okafor, the No. 1 overall prospect for the Class of 2014, will take an official visit to Duke on Oct. 25, according to an article by ESPN Chicago's Scott Powers. The Blue Devils will also host top (and only) point guard target Tyus Jones the same weekend.

Okafor and Jones, ranked No. 3 in the class of 2014, have repeatedly expressed a desire to play together in college (more on that here in my story from last month's Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament), so the Duke staff is likely pleased they were able to schedule both prospects for the same weekend. Duke will be the last school Okafor officially visits, as his schedule looks like this: Baylor on Aug. 30, Kentucky on Sept. 9, Arizona on Oct. 11, Kansas on Oct. 18th and Duke on Oct. 25.

Jones will join him on the visits to Baylor, Kansas and Duke, and Jones's full schedule will be set next week, his mother, Debbie, said in a text message. The pair won't be present for Duke's version of Midnight Madness, Countdown to Craziness, as it's scheduled for Oct. 18th. Kentucky's alumni game is scheduled for the weekend of the duo's visit. But, Duke does have the advantage of falling last in line. And, while everything is always subject to change in recruiting, I'm expecting there to be another visitor that weekend as well. ABC: Always be closing.

Okafor will also take unofficial visits to Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State, but each of those schools is undoubtedly unhappy they didn't make the cut for his official visit list.

Also notable in the ESPN article is the idea that Okafor and his father, Chuck, are unhappy about the rumors indicating Okafor is leaning toward Duke. It makes sense: I would imagine he doesn't want that perception affecting his experiences at other schools. I wouldn't assume that's a bad sign for Duke.

- Laura Keeley

UNC's Dean Smith to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Obama will announce on Thursday that Dean Smith will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, according to the White House, and is “presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

In addition to Smith, ESPN.com reported that Ernie Banks, known with affection as “Mr. Cub” for his Major League Baseball Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Cubs, will also receive the Medal of Freedom.

Smith coached at UNC from 1961 through 1997, retiring after 36 seasons, 879 victories and two national championships, which the Tar Heels won in 1982 and 1993. He guided the Tar Heels to the ACC tournament championship 13 times, and he led UNC to 11 Final Fours. At the time of his retirement, Smith was the most victorious coach in college basketball history.

In addition to what his teams accomplished on the court, Smith is remembered for the connection he shared with his players off of it. More than 95 percent of Smith’s lettermen graduated, and he fostered an atmosphere that kept players returning to campus years after they’d left school.

Smith in recent years has been suffering from a neurological disorder that has greatly diminished his memory.

Smith’s family in 2010 released a letter about his condition that read, in part: “Our dad has a progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory.

“So now, he may not immediately recall the name of every former player from his many years in coaching, but that does not diminish what those players meant to him or how much he cares about them.”

Pat Summitt, the former Tennessee women’s basketball coach who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year. Other recipients who made their name in sports include: Stan Musial, Bill Russell, Billie Jean King, Muhammad Ali, Buck O’Neil, Frank Robinson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Hank Aaron.

-Andrew Carter

ACC basketball: Duke gets two games on Big Monday on ESPN

The ACC will be part of ESPN's Big Monday basketball doubleheader this coming season (RIP, old Big East), with Duke drawing two of the prime-time match-ups.

The Blue Devils will host Virginia on Jan. 13th at 7 p.m. and make their inaugural ACC trip to Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. tip on Jan. 27th.

Duke and Pitt have actually split their 12 past meetings, the most recent of which was Pitt’s 65-64 win in overtime on Dec. 20, 2007 in Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils will be making their fifth trip to Pittsburgh and their first since a 78-69 win on Jan. 26, 1980.

Those will be the only conference games against the Cavaliers and the Panthers.

Here's a refresher on the other Duke basketball dates that have been announced:

Nov. 12: Kansas vs. Duke (Champions Classic)
Nov. 15: FAU at Duke
Nov. 17: Norfolk State at Duke (NIT Season Tip-Off)
Nov. 27: NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals (Madison Square Garden)*
Nov. 29: NIT Season Tip-Off finals (Madison Square Garden)*
Dec. 3: Michigan at Duke (ACC-Big 10 challenge)
Dec. 19: Duke vs. UCLA (Madison Square Garden)
Jan. 13: vs. Virginia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

2013-14 Duke basketball ACC home games:
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
Syracuse
Virginia Tech
Maryland
N.C. State
Virginia
Florida State

2013-14 Duke basketball ACC away games:
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Notre Dame
Boston College
Clemson
Miami

The full Duke schedule will be announced later this fall.

Here is the full Big Monday schedule:

January 13
7 p.m. Virginia at Duke
9 p.m. Kansas at Iowa State

January 20
7 p.m. North Carolina at Virginia
9 p.m. Baylor at Kansas

January 27
7 p.m. Duke at Pitt
9 p.m. Oklahoma State at Oklahoma

February 3
7 p.m. Notre Dame at Syracuse
9 p.m. Iowa State at Oklahoma State

February 10
7 p.m. Maryland at Virginia
9 p.m. Kansas at Kansas State

February 17
7 p.m. North Carolina at Florida State
9 p.m. Oklahoma State at Baylor

February 24
7 p.m. Syracuse at Maryland
9 p.m. Oklahoma at Kansas

March 3
7 p.m. Notre Dame at North Carolina
9 p.m. Kansas State at Oklahoma State

- Laura Keeley

UNC, ACC basketball to be featured on Big Monday on ESPN

CHAPEL HILL -- ACC basketball is moving to Monday night on ESPN. And North Carolina, as you'd expect, will be a part of it.

Given the implosion of the Big East, ESPN was apparently looking for a replacement for its Monday night college basketball programming. And ESPN apparently found that replacement in the ACC.

Eight ACC games will be featured on "Big Monday," as they call it, on consecutive Mondays between Jan. 13 and March 3.

UNC will be featured three times on Big Monday - more than any other ACC team. The Tar Heels' Big Monday games are:

• at Virginia on Jan. 20
• at Florida State on Feb. 17
• vs. Notre Dame on March 3

All the games will be at 7 p.m.

The ACC's full schedule is expected to be released later this month.

- Andrew Carter

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

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

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

UNC finishes eighth in Directors' Cup, leads ACC

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina finished eighth in the Directors' Cup, which measures a school's performance in all sports in NCAA postseason competition. The UNC women's soccer and women's lacrosse teams won national championships, which bolstered the Tar Heels to another top-10 finish in the Directors' Cup standings.

UNC finished first among ACC schools, followed by Florida State (11th), Duke (12th) and Virginia (20th). N.C. State (34th), Virginia Tech (36th) and Maryland (44th) also finished among the top 50 nationally. This is the fifth consecutive year that UNC has finished in the top 10 nationally.

In addition to the women's soccer and lacrosse teams, five other UNC teams also finished among the top 10 in their sports: field hockey (second), baseball (third), men's soccer (fifth), women's tennis (fifth) and men's lacrosse (fifth). UNC women's swimming (12th), fencing (13th), men's basketball (17th), women's basketball (17th) and volleyball (17th) also finished among the top 20 nationally.

UNC finished in eighth place for the second consecutive year. In the 20-year history of the Directors' Cup, UNC has finished 17 times among the top 10. Stanford, Florida and UCLA are the only schools with more top-10 finishes than UNC.

UNC's 17 top-10 finishes are five more than the rest of the ACC combined. Here are the final Directors' Cup standings.

- Andrew Carter

2013 NBA draft: Duke's Mason Plumlee a solid bet for middle of the 1st round

With the June 27 NBA draft fast approaching, Mason Plumlee looks to be a solid bet to go in the middle of the first round, according to the mock drafts:

Draft Express: No. 14 to the Utah Jazz

Sports Illustrated: No. 16 to Boston the Boston Celtics

ESPN: No. 17 to the Atlanta Hawks

NBA Draft Net: No. 19 to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Yahoo!: No. 22 to the Brooklyn Nets

CBS Sports: No. 22 to the Brooklyn Nets

Of course, it only takes one team to pull a surprise that sends everyone's mock drafts up in flames. Keep in mind that, at this time last year, no one was projecting Miles Plumlee to go in the first round.

Between preparing for the draft and criss-crossing the country for workouts, Plumlee say down with Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose as part of their NBA job interview series. The trio have a candid conversation and review a little bit of film. Check out the above video -- it's definitely worth a watch.

- Laura Keeley

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