Sunday, July 28, 2013

UNC's Hairston suspended after reckless driving charge

2013-07-28-p.j.-hairstonNorth Carolina coach Roy Williams indefinitely suspended P.J. Hairston late Sunday night, hours after the team's troubled leading scorer was cited for speeding and careless and reckless driving.
USA TODAY Sports first reported earlier Sunday night that Hairston was pulled over for driving 93 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Hairston, 20, was driving a 2008 Acura TL southbound on Interstate 85 outside of Salisbury, N.C., when he was pulled over at 4:30 p.m. by the State Highway Patrol, said spokesman 1st Sgt. Jeff Gordon.
Hairston has an Aug. 30 court date in Rowan County.
UNC's three-sentence press release announcing Hairston's suspension cited only his traffic citation, but
the citation represents the latest off-court incident for Hairston. In the past three months, he drove two rental cars linked to Durham resident Haydn "Fats" Thomas.
Thomas, 39, is a convicted felon and party promoter with ties to several area college athletes.
Williams said in a statement on July 15 that Hairston committed "serious mistakes" and would face "serious consequences as a result." Without specifying the misconduct, Williams called the issues "embarrassing."
After being stopped at a license checkpoint June 5, Hairston was arrested on charges of possessing marijuana and driving without a license. The charges were dismissed July 19, a Durham County court clerk said, and Hairston complied with the conditions of the court, which included completing a drug assessment and providing his current driver's license.
USA TODAY Sports first reported that the 2013 GMC Yukon that Hairston was driving at the time was rented by Thomas from June 2-5 for $1,261.64, according to the Hertz rental receipt.
USA TODAY Sports also first reported that Hairston was cited for speeding May 13 while driving a 2012 Camaro SS that was rented by Catinia Farrington, a woman who shares the same home address as Thomas. Thomas has called Farrington his significant other.
After being stopped June 5, a 9-millimeter handgun and a magazine with nine rounds of ammunition were found outside the vehicle and seized during the traffic stop. Neither Hairston nor the two other passengers in the vehicle – Miykael Faulcon, 20, and Carlos Sanford, 23, both of Durham – faced charges related to the gun.
Thomas told USA TODAY Sports on July 3 that he had no relationship with Hairston. Thomas said he is a friend of Faulcon because they frequent clubs together and because Faulcon does "odd jobs" around Thomas' Durham home.
Thomas initially said that he rented the Yukon for himself and loaned it to Faulcon to take to the store. Thomas later said that Faulcon had told him that Faulcon and Hairston had planned to visit Atlanta that weekend for social gatherings. Faulcon and Hairston are close friends, said Faulcon's mother, Trudy Ransom.
Between February and May, four Hertz rental vehicles tied to Thomas received a total of nine unpaid parking citations on North Carolina's campus. The four vehicles – a 2012 GMC Yukon, a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, a 2013 Mercedes Benz 350 and the Camaro SS – were rented by Thomas or Farrington from the Hertz facility at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
"Other issues have been written about recently that are disturbing and bother me deeply," Williams said in his statement earlier this month. "Our basketball program is based on great ideals and these issues are embarrassing. These are not common in my 10 years as head coach at UNC and they will all be dealt with harshly and appropriately at the correct time to ensure that our program will not be compromised."
Thomas has said in multiple phone interviews that he has yet to be contacted by the NCAA or by North Carolina.
PHOTOS: PROJECTED TOP 25 FOR 2013-14 SEASON
USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson and Nicole Auerbach break down the preseason top 25 teams in the country for 2013-14.
USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson and Nicole Auerbach break down the preseason top 25 teams in the country for 2013-14.  Matthew Emmons,USA TODAY Sports
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  • USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson and Nicole Auerbach break down the preseason top 25 teams in the country for 2013-14.
  • No. 1 Kentucky: The Wildcats missed the tournament a year after winning the national title. But Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein return to Kentucky to help John Calipari welcome in the nation's top recruiting class, boasting the top-rated point guard (Andrew Harrison), shooting guard (Aaron Harrison) and power forward (Julius Randle) in the 2013 class
  • No. 2 Michigan State: The Spartans lost last year in the Sweet 16. But Gary Harris and Adreian Payne made Michigan State coach Tom Izzo's offseason when they decided to skip the NBA draft to return to East Lansing.
  • No. 3 Louisville: Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng are gone. But once was not enough for Louisville guard Russ Smith. After averaging 22.3 points in the tournament and leading the Cardinals to a national title, Smith decided to return for another year.
  • No. 4 Duke: Leading scorers Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly are graduating. But No. 2 recruit Jabari Parker is expected to be a huge impact freshman in the upcoming season. Miss. State transfer Rodney Hood is projected to be huge, too.
  • No. 5 Kansas: The Jayhawks, without their five best players from last year’s team, will rely heavily on a stellar incoming freshman class headlined by highly-touted recruit Andrew Wiggins, who chose KU over top suitors Florida State, North Carolina and Kentucky. Sophomore Perry Ellis returns to a team that lost Ben McLemore and Jeff Withey to the NBA. Outside of John Calipari’s recruiting class, Bill Self assembled the best group of freshmen in the country behind Wiggins and Joel Embiid, the top-rated center in the country. Self’s best recruiting class positions Kansas to win its 10th consecutive Big 12 Conference title.
  • No. 6 Arizona: The Wildcats lost in the Sweet 16 and the team's top two scorers are going. But Kaleb Tarczewski joins Nick Johnson and Brandon Ashley as three guys who averaged 25.6 points together.
  • No. 7 Florida: Coach Billy Donovan has enough returnees and incoming talent to lead Florida back to the Elite Eight for a fourth consecutive season. The Gators lose their top three scorers—Erik Murphy (12.2 ppg), Kenny Boynton (12 ppg) and Mike Rosario (12.5 ppg). But key returners Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Michael Frazier II, and Will Yeguete will add stability, while newcomers Chris Walker and Kasey Hill, two highly-regarded freshmen, fill scoring voids left by Florida’s departing seniors.
  • No. 8 Michigan: The national runner-up last season, the Wolverines lost consensus national player of the year Trey Burke and shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to the NBA draft, but bring back a number of key players capable of keeping the team near the top of the Big Ten. Sophomore Mitch McGary had his coming-out party in the NCAA tournament, averaging 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in six games, including a 25-point, 14-rebound performance against Kansas in the Sweet 16. Coach John Beilein brought in another strong recruiting class, providing depth across the roster. Despite the roster shakeup, Michigan has enough talent to make another deep run in the tournament.
  • No. 9 Syracuse: The Orange lost three of their four best players, over 55% of their scoring and nearly 86% of their assists, but don’t be surprised when they challenge Duke and North Carolina for the conference crown in their first season in the ACC. The Orange return senior forward C.J. Fair, their scoring and rebounding leader a year ago, as well as a bevy of talented underclassmen including sophomores DaJuan Coleman, Michael Gbinije and Jerami Grant. And freshmen Tyler Ennis and Tyler Roberson are noteworthy additions. It’s tough to expect this season’s team to top last year squad’s Final Four run, but Jim Boeheim always formulates an Orange team that’s in the mix.
  • No. 10 Oklahoma State: The Cowboys lost in in the second round but got great news after that. Marcus Smart, expected to be a lottery pick, decided to return to school
  • No. 11 North Carolina: Lost in the third round. However, the Tar Heels get four starters back including leading scorer James Michael McAdoo (14.4 points, 7.3 rebounds)
  • No. 12 Ohio State: Yes, the Buckeyes lost their leading scorer, Deshaun Thomas (19.8 ppg), to the NBA draft. But they've got everyone else, led by the best on-ball defender in the country in point guard Aaron Craft. Craft will be surrounded by talented players who gained a great deal of experience last year – Lenzelle Smith, Jr., LaQuinton Ross and Sam Thompson – and Ohio State should once again be among the best teams in one of the country's top conferences.
  • No. 13 Memphis: The Tigers lost in the third round and then lost three key players after the season. However, Josh Pastner had a great recruiting class and also gets point guard Joe Jackson and his 13.6 points and 4.8 assists coming back.
  • No. 14 Virginia Commonwealth: Coach Shaka Smart once again passed up job offers at other, more prominent schools to remain in Richmond, something that's become a bit of an offseason ritual in these parts. But what that means is more Havoc, and perhaps Smart's best team yet. In his fifth season at the helm, he'll return most of his offensive production from a team that reached the third round of the NCAA tournament. Treveon Graham (15.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and Juvonte Reddic (14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) will carry the scoring load, while other players like Rob Brandenberg and Briante Weber will step up in the absence of key players Troy Daniels and Darius Theus (lost to graduation).
  • No. 15 Connecticut: The Huskies are back after a year spent in limbo due to poor academics, a rough patch in program history that also cost them some of their best players to the NBA and transferring. But Kevin Ollie earned himself the permanent head coaching gig, and UConn pulled off some nice wins last season despite lacking the motivation most teams have throughout the season: the potential for postseason glory. Now, the Huskies have it. Shabazz Napier (17.1 ppg, 4.6 apg) will try to lead this team back to the NCAA tournament and establish himself as one of the best guards in the nation.
  • No. 16 Wichita State: WSU came up short in the Final Four as one of the great surprises in the tournament. But the Shockers proved how talented they are and leading scorer Cleanthony Early (13.9) is back along with top freshman Ron Baker.
  • No. 17 Creighton: Doug McDermott was named a First Team All-American for a second consecutive year, and, for a second consecutive year, he chose to return to school and pass up the chance to go to the NBA. McDermott averaged 23.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last year, and if it's possible, he may have to carry more of the load now that Gregory Echenique and Grant Gibbs will be gone. (Note: Gibbs is petitioning the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.) Either way, even with Creighton moving to the Big East, it's hard to count out a team that's led by one of the best – if not, the best – players in the nation.
  • No. 18 New Mexico: Coaching changes always have a chance to disrupt a program's growth, but new coach and former assistant Craig Neal will ensure that New Mexico doesn't miss a beat in 2013-14. Despite the departure of Tony Snell (12.5 ppg, 2.9 apg), this Lobo team with enough experience (and drive) to move beyond this past season's early tournament exit – an embarrassing round-of-64 loss to Harvard. Among the significant returnees: leading scorer Kendall Williams (13.3 ppg, 4.9 apg) and Alex Kirk (12.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg).
  • No. 19 Colorado: Coach Tad Boyle's group loses guard Sabatino Chen and the Buffs' best rebounder in Andre Roberson, but the Buffaloes return enough that they'll have a chance to edge Arizona for a Pac-12 title. Colorado's two leading scorers – Spencer Dinwiddie (15.3 ppg, 3.0 apg) and Askia Booker (12.4 ppg, 2.2 apg) – will be juniors, adding some experience to an already talented and under-the-radar backcourt.
  • No. 20 Gonzaga: Though Gonzaga loses its entire starting frontcourt in Kelly Olynyk (17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Elias Harris (14.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), the 'Zags have two more-than-adequate big-man replacements ready in Sam Dower and Przemek Karnowski. Plus, Kevin Pangos (11.9 ppg, 3.3 apg) and Gary Bell Jr. (9.0 ppg, 2.1 apg) return to run a very good backcourt. The Bulldogs are usually ranked each season and always the team to beat in the West Coast Conference, and this season will continue that trend. Now, to just reach that elusive Final Four …
  • 21. Tennessee: After a somewhat disappointing season last year, the Vols managed to hold on to their two best scorers and players and added a strong recruiting class that will enable them to stretch the floor more. With Stokes and McRae a year better, the Vols will contend for the SEC title and are a sure bet for a postseason NCAA berth, but it will take something special to unseat John Calipari’s loaded Kentucky squad atop the SEC.
  • No. 22 Marquette:These Golden Eagles won a share of the old Big East regular season championship, but they lose quite a bit heading into their first season as members of the new Big East. They knew Junior Cadougan and Trent Lockett would exhaust their eligibility, but they weren't counting on the unexpected loss of leading scorer Vander Blue (14.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg), who declared for the draft. The task of getting Marquette back to the Elite Eight will be a tall one, but it's hard to doubt Buzz Williams. He took last year's team deep into the NCAA tournament after losing his top two scorers, and he'll look to do the same with who he's got returning, most notably Davante Gardner (11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg). The Golden Eagles are always a tough out, and they'll remain so next fall.
  • No. 23 Indiana: Only Kansas lost more than Indiana did this offseason. The Hoosiers lost four starters – seniors Christian Watford and Jordan Hulls to graduation, as well as sophomore Cody Zeller and junior Victor Oladipo to the NBA draft – which leaves coach Tom Crean with rising senior Will Sheehey (9.5 ppg) and Yogi Ferrell (7.6 ppg, 4.1 apg), who looks to build off a very promising freshman season. What keeps the Hoosiers in this early Top 25 is their incoming freshman class: Noah Vonleh, Troy Williams, Luke Fischer, Stanford Robinson, Devin Davis and Collin Hartman.
  • No. 24 Iowa: The Hawkeyes were close to securing an NCAA tournament bid in 2013, but wins were a little too tough to come by in the ultra-competitive Big Ten. Iowa eventually fell to Baylor in the NIT final, but it opened some eyes during its postseason run. Now, the Hawkeyes return nearly everyone, including all those crucial to a successful season, most notably Roy Devyn Marble (15.0 ppg, 3.0 apg), Aaron White (12.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Mike Gesell (8.7 ppg, 2.6 apg). The only thing that will limit Iowa's success in 2013-14 will be how well the Hawkeyes can survive punishing Big Ten regular season.
  • No. 25 Virginia: The Cavaliers shouldn't have any issues making the field of 68 next season after just missing the NCAA tournament this year. In coach Tony Bennett's fifth season, Virginia loses Jontel Evans (4.2 ppg, 4.8 apg) but brings a majority of its roster back, led by its top two leading scorers, Joe Harris (16.3 ppg, 2.2 apg) and Akil Mitchell (13.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg). Plus, Malcolm Brogdon (medical redshirt) and South Carolina transfer Anthony Gill will be eligible for the Cavs.
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