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UNC Withdraws Scholarship Offer To Curry After Drug Plea

Apr 8, 2004

RALEIGH, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rescinded a scholarship offer to JamesOn Curry on Wednesday just days after the leading scorer in state high school basketball history pleaded guilty to drug charges.

Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said he informed Curry, a standout guard for Eastern Alamance High School, and his family of the school's decision Wednesday evening.

"He is a nice young man, but one who made some very serious mistakes ... We hope JamesOn will be successful with continuing his education and his basketball," Williams said in a statement.

Curry could not be reached for comment.

Curry pleaded guilty on Monday to six felony counts: two each of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; two each of the sale of marijuana and two each of delivering marijuana.

He was sentenced to 36 months of probation; various fines, including $600 for lab fees to test the marijuana; $200 in court costs and 200 hours of community service.

Curry was kicked off his high school team shortly after his arrest in February. He was one of 49 students arrested that month after a systemwide undercover drug investigation by the Alamance County Sheriff's Office and the Alamance-Burlington schools. The operation was aimed at dealers and distributors, authorities said.

Curry, who committed to North Carolina last summer, scored 41 points in an 84-76 victory over High Point Andrews in December to set the state's career scoring record.

Curry, a two-time Associated Press All-State first-team pick, also holds the state record for career 3-pointers.