It was the evening for the UNC basketball team to come to the banquet table and be honored, except for seniors Shammond Williams and Makhtar Ndiaye, who were away for an NBA try-out in Phoenix.
No one wanted to discuss the recent incident involving Ndiaye at the Final Four. The feeling in the room was that the incident is history. The purpose of the evening was to honor the Tar Heel team.
"When you have good seasons, individual honors come," said UNC Coach, Bill Guthridge. "This was a great group of young men. I'm proud to have been associated with them."
Vince Carter was recognized as the team's overall statistical leader. Ademola Okulaja was chosen as the team's most inspirational player. An to no one's surprise, Antawn Jamison was voted MVP for the second straight year.
"We had a successful year," Jamison explained. "And anytime you have a successful year and are voted MVP, you've got to be something special."
Jamison and Carter say they are not close to deciding whether to turn pro or to return for their senior season. They still have another month to weigh the pros and cons. Regardless of their decision, the 1997-98 team, the one that won 34 games, won't be together again.
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