Since being arrested last month on drug charges during a routine traffic, and having the rental car that he was driving be linked to a convicted felon, it is clear that UNC’s PJ Hairston is in a little bit a hot water.
Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams hasn’t spoken much about the arrest, but today released a statement saying that the junior would face “serious consequences.”
I initially decided not to make a statement about PJ (Hairston) until the legal process had been finalized. I believe that is the fair way that everyone should be treated and is the way of our country.
PJ and I have had several discussions already and he knows he has made serious mistakes and there will be serious consequences as a result. Certainly the idea of suspending PJ has been discussed. However, he is not currently enrolled in summer school, is not practicing with the team and we have no games until November. There are several options available in terms of discipline but we are going to wait until the process is complete to decide on those options.
There is a lot more to this than just the arrest. There are several other vehicles linked to Hairston and convicted felon Haydn Thomas, who rented the Tahoe Hairston was driving during June’s arrest, including a 2013 Mercedes-Benz 350, and a 2012 Camaro SS. So in addition to drug charges, Hairston and the UNC basketball program are sure to face questions about the renting of these vehicles, his link to Thomas, and the possibility of PJ receiving improper benefits.
Hairston was the Tar Heels leading scorer last year and a substantial suspension would surely be a huge blow to the team. Significant can mean 5 games or fifteen and I’m sure Roy and the UNC athletics department will wait to see how truly severe the charges and link to Thomas are before any penalties are rendered. Hairston is due back in court in August.