Larry Drew Abruptly Leaves Carolina

Junior point guard Larry Drew II has abruptly left the North Carolina Tar Heels.

“He packed his sh– and left school,” a source close to the program said.

On Jan. 18, Drew lost the starting point guard spot to freshman Kendall Marshall.

Yet Drew had played well of late off the bench, handing out 18 assists with just two turnovers in the three games since the switch.

“This morning I spoke to Larry Drew Sr. and he informed me that it was in Larry II’s best interest to leave North Carolina at this time,” Carolina coach Roy Williams said in a statement.

“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. He was our defensive award winner in two of our last four games and has handled the ball really well in our four-game win streak.

“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 agreat deal to our program in his two and a half years here, including being a part of a national championship team. 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. He will be successful wherever he chooses to go. I appreciate what he gave to our University and basketball program in his time here.”

Drew was a freshman on the 2009 national championship squad, then started 53 games over the next year and a half before losing his starting spot.

This year he was fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in assists and assist-error ratio and won UNC’s defensive player of the game award four times.

“After careful consideration and consultation with my family, I have decided it’s in my best interest to continue my education and basketball career elsewhere,” Drew said. “I have enjoyed my time in North Carolina and appreciate the support of everyone associated with the program. Over the last three years we’ve accomplished a lot as a team and those experiences will help me not only on the court, but off the court as well.

“I’d like to thank the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to play at one of the nation’s top colleges in UNC, and my teammates for their support as well. It is unfortunate my career didn’t meet expectations in Chapel Hill, however I do look forward to continuing my collegiate and athletic career in the near future.”