Point guard Larry Drew leaves North Carolina basketball team

Update, 7:28 p.m. ET:

Larry Drew II and the University of North Carolina issued statements that he was leaving the Tar Heels basketball team. It was his father -- Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew Sr. -- that initially informed Tar Heels coach Roy Williams in a telephone call Friday morning.

Drew Sr. acknowledged that he spoke with Williams and that he was simply relaying his son's wishes.

"He made the decision. I did speak to coach Williams," the Hawks coach said. "I thought it was important we did it in a very tasteful manner and we did that. My son issued the statement and it came from him. He clearly stated that his family has his support."

Williams said he was "shocked" by the sudden news of Drew's departure.

"Basically there was no arbitrating, there was no trying to see if we could rectify anything. That was the decision that was made, and he thought it was in Larry's best interest," Williams said in a Friday afternoon news conference.

Update, 1:28 p.m. ET:

North Carolina officially announced Larry Drew's departure from the program in a statement released Friday.

"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," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "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, meanwhile, said it's in his best interest to pursue interests elsewhere.

"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."

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Original post:

A lot is going well for North Carolina. The Tar Heels have won nine of 10 and are half a game behind first-place Duke in the ACC. But it looks like they'll be without point guard Larry Drew II for the rest of the season.

Drew has left the team, according to a story by ESPN.com. The junior has started 17 of 21 games and is averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 assists per game.

While his playing time has gone down with the emergence of freshman Kendall Marshall, Drew, the son of Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew, has 19 assists in his last three games, all wins by North Carolina.

If he transfers to another Division I school, Drew must sit out next season. He would then have one year of eligibility remaining.

Contributing: Wire reports