CURRY DENIED SPOT ON ROSTER

North Carolina men's basketball coach Roy Williams announced Wednesday
that he has withdrawn a scholarship offer to a highly touted recruit.

JamesOn Curry, the state's all-time leading high school scorer,
originally was part of a four-player recruiting class for next season,
but he pleaded guilty Monday to six drug charges including possession
with intent to sell and deliver marijuana.

Curry was sentenced to three years' probation, 200 hours of community
service and various fines in Alamance County court.

"This has been a very difficult time for JamesOn and his family and
also for our basketball program," said UNC coach Roy Williams in a
statement. "He is a nice young man, but one who made some very serious
mistakes. We felt we needed to let the legal process take place over
the last few months, and now it has."

Curry originally was arrested Feb. 5 in a raid at his high school. A
total of 49 students were arrested in a raid, which resulted from a
systemwide undercover investigation by the Alamance County Sheriff's
Office.

UNC policy stipulates that current athletes convicted of a felony
become permanently ineligible, but the Curry case presented a unique
scenario.

The school delayed its decision until Williams returned from the Final
Four in San Antonio. The coach informed the Curry family of his
decision Wednesday night.

"During this time, we have been in close and constant contact with our
admissions office and the University administration. All parties have
agreed that it is best for us to withdraw our scholarship and release
JamesOn at this time. We hope JamesOn will be successful with
continuing his education and his basketball."