MAJOR UNC RECRUIT SNAGGED IN DRUG BUST

A top North Carolina basketball signee is in big trouble. [NAME DELETED]
-a 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Mebane, N.C.-was among 49
students targeted in an early morning drug bust yesterday.

"He was arrested about 8:30 this morning at Eastern Alamance High
School," Public Information Officer Randy Jones of the Alamance County
Sheriff's Office said. "He's facing six felony counts total: Two
counts with possession and intent to sell and deliver marijuana; two
counts of sale and delivery of marijuana; and two counts of sale and
delivery of controlled substances on school grounds."

The investigation began last August when the Alamance County school
superintendent suspected drug use at some local high schools,
according to Jones. The Public Information Officer also stated
undercover investigators had been in place at all the high schools in
the county since the beginning of the school year.

[NAME DELETED] is considered one of the top 100 prospects in the class of 2004
and is rated the 16th-best shooting guard in the nation by
theinsiders.com. Averaging 33 points per game, [NAME DELETED] broke a 44
year-old North Carolina prep career scoring mark this past December.
Additionally, the guard set another state record earlier this season
by hitting his 282nd career three-pointer.

Last November, [NAME DELETED] signed a national letter of intent to play for
the Tar Heels. However, the arrest leaves [NAME DELETED]'s basketball future
unclear.

"It is disturbing," UNC head coach Roy Williams said at a press
conference Wednesday. "Very surprising. But you know, I'm just
learning all about it just like you guys are. It happened today, [so]
I don't have enough information at this time.

"He does not play for me. He is not under my watch. I do have certain
thoughts and feelings that...are personal and will stay that way until
I share them with his family. If there needs to be a decision made at
some time, I will make that decision. When I do, he and his family
will know about it first, whatever that decision may be."

Eastern Alamance athletic director John Moon and North Carolina
Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Communications Steve
Kirschner could not be reached for comment.

[NAME DELETED] has reportedly been released on 40,000 dollar secured bond and
will appear in district court in the near future.