P.J. Hairston’s most recent run-in with the law has earned him an indefinite suspension from the University of North Carolina basketball team.
The junior guard was charged with “speeding and careless and reckless driving Sunday after being pulled over for driving 93 mph in a 65 mph zone,” per USA Today Sports’ Rachel Axon and Eric Prisbell.
Shortly after that news broke, the school made the decision to suspend Hairston, via UNC basketball’s official Twitter account:
Hairston was in the news recently after he was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from a traffic stop, but those charges were dropped last week. North Carolina’s athletic website cited only Sunday’s traffic violation in the official announcement of the suspension.
Although “indefinite” leaves things wide open, this could be potentially brutal news for Tar Heels fans, as Hairston was set to enter the 2013-14 season as a legitimate contender for ACC Player of the Year.
He averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest last season, but after head coach Roy Williams switched to a four-guard lineup, Hairston looked rejuvenated, showing the talent that made him such an enticing recruit coming out of high school.
In the last 13 games of the season (counting the ACC and NCAA tournaments), Hairston averaged 18.2 points on 44.7 percent shooting and 42.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
He’s a big, strong wing (6’5″, 220 pounds) with the ability to attack the hoop off the bounce or knock down the outside shot. Not only is he extremely talented, but the departures of Reggie Bullock and Dexter Strickland make him crucial for the Tar Heels’ success next season.
ESPN’s Dick Vitale understands his talents, and pleaded with Hairston to turn his life around via Twitter:
Nevertheless, the season is still about four months away, and as a story that could still potentially take several twists and turns, it’s one worth paying very close attention to during the fall.
