Larry Drew II, North Carolina's embattled point guard turned reserve, is transferring from the school, a decision coach Roy Williams described as a "shock" and a "major blow" to the Tar Heels.
Williams said he spoke to Drew's father, Larry Drew, head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, at 9 a.m. Friday morning and the elder Drew informed him it was in his son's best interest to leave the program.
"Personally I hate this for Larry and our team because he was such an important part of our team and he has continued to improve and played well in recent games," Williams said in a statement released by the school. "But I understand that families and players have to make their own decisions as to what is best for them at a particular time in their lives. He contributed a great deal to our program in his two and a half years here.
"I regret that Larry and his family feel this is the right thing to do, but again, each individual has to do what they think is best."
Williams said he received a message to call Drew's father Friday morning, who told the Tar Heel coach Drew was leaving the program. Williams characterized the conversation as a "long discussion," but did not divulge details.
"There was no arbitrating, no trying to see if we could rectify anything," Williams said of the discussion in his weekly Friday press conference. "That was it. The decision was made."
No reason was given either by Williams or Drew, though Williams speculated that it likely wasn't any one specific reason.
Drew began the year as the team's starting point guard and has been the Tar Heels' best perimeter defender. However, Drew, who struggled with turnovers and offensive efficiency, lost his starting job in mid-January to freshman Kendall Marshall. He continued to play regular minutes, averaging more than 19 a game following his move to the bench.
Drew scored eight points in his first game as a reserve against Clemson and managed a season-high nine assists in Tuesday's blowout over Boston College.
"The last four games, Larry had been great," Williams said. "It's a huge blow to our team. ... I didn't see it coming."
The Encino, Calif., point guard was a focal point of fan criticism last year as he averaged more than three turnovers a game and struggled during North Carolina's second-half collapse, which saw the then-defending NCAA champions finish the season in the NIT. Drew regressed in 2010, as his scoring average fell from 8.5 points to 4.4 and he became ineffective as a shooter, hitting just over 20 percent of his shots from 3-point range.
Williams repeatedly defended his point guard in the preseason and into the year, claiming it was unfair to compare Drew to previous point guards Ty Lawson and Ray Felton because of the supporting cast the previous two had.
"He was unfairly criticized and maligned for last year," Williams said Friday. "He didn't have Tyler Hansbrough or Danny Green to throw ball to like (Lawson)."
Drew was the subject of multiple transfer rumors over the summer but elected to return to North Carolina.
The timing of Drew's decision is particularly peculiar. Because the second semester is underway, Drew will forfeit the remainder of the season. Drew will have just one season left, beginning in the fall of 2011. Had he announced his transfer between semesters, he would have retained a year and a half of eligibility.
Drew's departure weakens an already thin Tar Heel team. He was the Tar Heels' best perimeter defender and his steady play down the stretch helped North Carolina hold off Kentucky for the school's biggest win of the year. The move likely will lead Marshall to play more minutes and put additional ball-handling responsibility on Dexter Strickland, a shooting guard that the Tar Heels have frequently played at the point.
However, Williams said Friday that no decisions had yet been made about the rotation or game plans due to the short notice.
Drew's departure will add to the Tar Heels' roster depletion in the past year. In May, sophomore forwards Travis and David Wear announced their transfer, again surprising Williams as their transfer announcement came much later than most players transfer, and came following the spring signing period for high school players. In October, Williams dismissed senior Will Graves shortly before the start of the season. Graves was the team's top returning 3-point shooter and could have helped bolster a thin frontcourt. Additionally, talented forward Ed Davis declared for the NBA draft following his sophomore year last season.
The Heels, who have won nine of their last 10, host Florida State Sunday.
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