UNC’s Larry Drew II to Transfer

Just days after recording nine assists in 19 minutes in North Carolina’s 106-74 victory over Boston College, junior Larry Drew II (son of Atlanta Hawk’s coach Larry Drew) is leaving Chapel Hill and will take his talents elsewhere. The cause for his untimely departure remains unknown, but playing time (or lack of it) could’ve been a factor. From the AP: “In a statement issued Friday by the school, Drew says he was leaving because ‘it’s in my best interest to continue my education and basketball career elsewhere.’ Drew did not indicate where he might play next. Coach Roy Williams said in the statement that while he understands the guard’s decision, ‘I hate this for Larry and our team because he was such an important part of our team.’ Drew, a junior, recently lost his starting position to freshman Kendall Marshall and was averaging 4.7 points and 3.7 assists. Drew is en route to Atlanta where his father is coach of the NBA’s Hawks, the person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the school had not officially announced Drew’s departure. The junior had recently lost his starting position to freshman Kendall Marshall, a move that has coincided with the No. 23 Tar Heels’ rise to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference alongside reigning national champion Duke. Drew’s departure means that sophomore starter Dexter Strickland, who saw time at the point last year, will have to take on more ball-handling responsibilities behind Marshall. The news of Drew’s withdrawal from UNC was first reported by ESPN. Drew has mostly struggled since taking the reins from Ty Lawson from the 2009 NCAA championship team. Drew started 36 games and became a subject of fan frustration during last year’s 17-loss season. He started the first 17 games this season before coach Roy Williams switched to Marshall.”