TREADWELL: `TRICKED' INTO DRUG TREATMENT

In the first public statement regarding his $4 million lawsuit against
St. Joseph High School and Indiana University, basketball player Mark
Treadwell says he was "slandered" by the high school and "tricked into
agreeing to be treated by a drug counselor."

Treadwell, who has filed the complaint in U.S. District Court, said in
the prepared statement that Indiana coach Bob Knight released him from
his signed letter of intent in part because Treadwell has been
diagnosed with clinical depression.

"The only viable reason for IU's misconduct is my disability, or the
close personal relationship between Coach Knight and St. Joseph's
Coach (Gene) Pingatore and the false and misleading information about
me that Coach Pingatore undoubtedly shared with Coach Knight," the
statement said.

The suit states personnel at St. Joseph referred to Treadwell as a
"drug dealer" and "drug addict."

St. Joseph is charged with slander, violations of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and interference with a contract. Indiana is being
sued for breach of contract. Knight is charged with breaking a promise
to Treadwell.

Knight said last week that Treadwell, an NCAA academic qualifier, did
not meet Indiana's academic requirements and that he went to the
family's house in May to discuss the issue.

"He was turned down (academically) and we went all through that (with
the family)," Knight said. "But we also gave him the opportunity to go
to prep school. We had four schools who would have taken him in a
scholarship situation."

Treadwell contends that "Coach Knight stated that because I had played
only a few games during my senior season that I was not `ready' to
play basketball at IU. . . . The only issue Coach Knight raised about
my academic qualifications was that I attended three high schools."

Treadwell, an NCAA academic qualifier, received notice from Indiana's
admissions office that he didn't meet entrance requirements because he
had attended three high schools. Former King standout Michael Hermon,
who also attended three high schools, played one season at IU before
leaving after a falling-out with Knight.

The 6-foot-5-inch forward said he still plans to "play basketball at a
yet to be determined Division I university."

Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"