University of North Carolina Athletics
Teasley To Take Year Away From Basketball Team
July 27, 2000 | Women's Basketball
July 27, 2000
Nikki Teasley, a rising senior guard on the University of North Carolina women's basketball team, will not be enrolled in the University during the 2000-01 school year due to stress-related illness. Teasley, who would have been academically eligible to play this season under both UNC and NCAA guidelines, has one year of collegiate athletics eligibility remaining.
"I fully intend to return to the University of North Carolina to earn my degree and play my senior year of basketball for Coach (Sylvia) Hatchell," Teasley said. "Since January, I have been working with Dr. (Bradley) Hack and I feel I've made good progress. I appreciate the support that UNC has given me and I look forward to rejoining the team in the fall of 2001."
"Nikki has shown tremendous courage in getting help for this illness and in making this public disclosure," said Dr. Hack, a clinical and sport psychologist who practices in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. "She has made great strides. However, I agree with Nikki's decision to take a year away from school and basketball."
Teasley, a 6-0 point guard, averaged 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists during the 1999-2000 season, her junior year, and earned MVP honors at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. She missed seven games during January while on a leave of absence from the team.
"As I said back in January, we're far more concerned with Nikki as a person than as a basketball player," UNC women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "We want what's best for her, and the entire UNC women's basketball family will give her our full support. We will keep in close touch with her throughout the coming year and look forward to welcoming her back to the team next season."
