For Immediate Release: December 18, 2013
University of North Carolina fifth-year senior guard Leslie McDonald has been reinstated by the NCAA and will return to action this evening (December 18th) against Texas after sitting out the team’s first nine games due to violating NCAA rules regarding impermissible benefits.
“We are certainly glad to have this issue resolved for Leslie,” says head coach Roy Williams. “It has been a terrible time for Leslie and his family and our basketball team. I was very disappointed by Leslie’s actions and he knows this. He has suffered the consequences of his actions and I hope he has learned a lesson that I also hope his teammates recognize. Leslie has been a sensational teammate and worked hard in practice to help our team. He understands what he has already lost and wants to really enjoy this second chance. Leslie has one more semester to contribute to our team and finish his degree. I feel sure he will be truly dedicated to accomplishing both of those goals.”
“I feel blessed to play again for Carolina,” says McDonald. “I truly regret putting my family, UNC and my teammates and coaches through this. I apologize to everyone who cares about the University of North Carolina and will do what I can to make up for it. You never know how much you love to play the game until you are not allowed to. I learned that two years ago when I hurt my knee and had to sit out an entire season. I hated going through it again, but it was a result of the mistakes I made. I am going to enjoy every minute of this second chance and play as hard as I can to help my teammates and coaches as they have helped me.”
“Eligibility issues are some of the most important ones we face in college athletics because they directly impact so many people,” says Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. “These issues have had an effect on not only Leslie, but his coaches, teammates and everyone who supports our program. He made some mistakes and faced serious consequences as a result, but I am glad for Leslie that he is able to return. We all must learn from these situations and avoid the kind of problems that could jeopardize eligibility and our program’s success.”
McDonald has played in 100 games as a Tar Heel, scoring 581 points and made 104 three-pointers. Last season, he appeared in 30 games and averaged 7.2 points with a career high 24 against UAB.
Link to GoHeels.com Release: http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=209344443
McDonald Documents: http://www.goheels.com/fls/3350/pdf/McDonaldAttachments.pdf?SPSID=668156&SPID=12965&DB_LANG=C&SITE=UNC&DB_OEM_ID=3350