University of North Carolina Athletics
Jason Capel Out Indefinitely
June 21, 1999 | Men's Basketball
January 22, 1999
CHAPEL HILL --- University of North Carolina freshman guard/forward Jason Capel is out of action indefinitely with mononucleosis. Capel started all 18 games in which he played this year. He had not practiced at all this week and sat out Thursday evening's game against Virginia because of a virus.
Tests came back positive for mononucleosis Friday morning. Team physician Brian Smith said Friday morning that Capel will not be allowed basketball activity for at least two weeks. At that time his condition will be re-evaluated. Smith said he hopes Capel will be able to play again before the end of the regular season in late February.
Capel, 6-8, 218 pounds, hails from Chesapeake, Va. His father, Jeff Capel Sr., is the head coach at Old Dominion University. Jason Capel scored 16 points on December 4th in Carolina's 63-61 win over the Monarchs. That was one of nine games this season in which Capel netted 10-plus points. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He is third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in free throw percentage at 85.5 percent (53 of 62) and made 42.9 percent from three-point range (15 of 35). Over his last four contests, he averaged 11.8 points. He had 13 points, five assists and four rebounds in the win over Clemson on January 2nd.
"We are disappointed for Jason and our team because he has been playing so well," says head coach Bill Guthridge. "He is a player you can depend on to make smart plays. We will certainly miss him. Our other young players will have to step forward to help us while he is out. Hopefully, Jason will be able to come back and help us again before the end of the season."
