CHAPEL HILL - Junior guard Leslie McDonald, who has not played in the University of North Carolina's last three games, will not play in the next three games, but will return to the lineup for the Virginia Tech game on February 2nd.
"Leslie did not do what we expect of our student-athletes and therefore is not going to play in the next three games," says Tar Heel head coach Roy Williams. "His knee has improved and he would have been medically able to return this week, but he won't dress for Georgia Tech, NC State and Boston College. I'm disappointed for him and our team because he worked so hard to get back from his knee injury and has been a valuable contributor for us this season. He's a good kid and we look forward to his return."
"I'm sorry that I won't be able to play the next three games but I will be ready to help my team again beginning with the Virginia Tech game," says McDonald, who is Carolina's fifth-leading scorer this season. "I did not take care of my responsibilities as a student-athlete and have to miss some games as a result. I will do what I can to help prepare my teammates in practice even though I can't play."
The Memphis, Tenn., native missed all of last season with a knee injury that he suffered in July 2011, and is averaging 8.4 points and shooting 43.1 percent from three-point range this year. He had 24 points against UAB and 21 against Mississippi State earlier this year.
