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North Carolina’s Jalek Felton is ‘not being punished,’ lawyer says

Boston College v North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 09: Jalek Felton #5 passes to teammate Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game against the Boston College Eagles at the Dean Smith Center on January 9, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 96-66. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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Jalek Felton was suspended by the University of North Carolina yesterday, and according to his lawyer, that suspension is not a punishment.

“It’s not a sanction, and he’s not being punished for something,” Kerry Sutton, a Durham attorney representing Felton, told the News & Observer. “That’s just something the school does while they gather information, and that’s what we’re doing at this point, as well – we’re gathering information.”

She did not detail what, if any, allegations were levied against Felton, citing federal privacy laws, but this appears to be a situation where the school wanted Felton off campus while they investigate.

Head coach Roy Williams was asked whether or not what happened with Felton was a reaction to the still-unfolding story regarding Tom Izzo and Michigan State. Here is his answer:

“I had nothing to do with how it was handled, so I can’t answer that. And that’s probably all I should say because I have been advised not to say anything and don’t know enough to say anything. I didn’t have anything to do with it and I don’t know enough about it.”

North Carolina lost their third straight game on Tuesday night.