Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 4, 1990 TAG: 9003042006
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From The New York Times and Associated Press reports
DATELINE: EAST LENGTH: Long
It was Shackleford's first public statement since public allegations of point-shaving during his collegiate career were made earlier this week.
Shackleford, who did not answer questions, was accompanied by his agent and lawyer, Salvatore DiFazio, who answered questions after Shackleford finished speaking.
During his one-minute statement, Shackleford said:
"I asked for this press conference because I wanted a chance to comment on what has been said in the newspapers over the past week. I never shaved points at North Carolina State.
"I did take money from an agent. I was young and I was poor. I was offered money and I took it. I borrowed the money from another person because I thought it was my only way out.
"What I did was wrong. I know that now. I paid both people back almost two years ago.
"I don't say that being young and poor is an excuse for what I did. It's not, but it is the reason why I took the money.
"I am sorry for all the embarrassment that this has caused to my family, my friends and my teammates. I am also sorry for the trouble it has caused for North Carolina State University, Coach Valvano and the Nets organization.
"I hope that from here on out, people will judge me on what I do on the basketball court and not on what they have read in the newspapers."
With that, Shackleford took a seat and watched as DiFazio answered questions.
When DiFazio was done, Shackleford walked quickly into the hallway leading to the Nets' locker room.
But Shackleford may not have left all his problems behind.
He was arrested Thursday in Orange, N.J., police said, and faces a disorderly person charge for possessing a small amount of marijuana.
In North Carolina, the State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the point-shaving allegations.
And the Denville (N.J.) Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation focused on Robert Kramer, one of two men from whom Shackleford said he borrowed a total of approximately $65,000 while in college.
The Denville police chief, Howard Shaw, said he expects all the evidence in the case to be presented next week to Lee Trumbull, the Morris County prosecutor.
Trumbull will decide what charges, if any, will be filed against Kramer. Shaw said his department had been investigating Kramer since November.
"Our initial investigation centered around Mr. Kramer," Shaw said earlier this week.
When asked if Shackleford came into the picture later, Shaw said, "Yes. Mr. Shackleford and Mr. Kramer were friends, and he attended some North Carolina State basketball games. What their relationship was beyond that, I don't know."
Shaw has never said point-shaving was involved in the Denville police investigation of Kramer.
ABC News reported Wednesday night that unidentified "inside sources" said as many as four Wolfpack players, including Shackleford, had conspired to hold down the scores of four games for betting purposes.
Betting on college basketball games is illegal in all states but Nevada.
In point-shaving, players on a favored team are paid to ensure their team either loses the game or wins by a margin smaller than the betting line.
A gambler who knows players are shaving points can make money betting on the underdog.
The ABC report said Shackleford had been given money by Kramer to distribute to other players who shaved points.
Shackleford, a 23-year-old power forward, has not played since Feb. 21 because of an infected right elbow. He probably will be healthy enough to play by late next week.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Orange on the disorderly person charge.
The police said the offense carries a maximum penalty upon conviction of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
In Raleigh, N.C., Valvano continues to maintain his innocence even as he entertains the notion that his coaching days at N.C. State may be nearing an end.
"I wish people would start to fix the blame where it ought to go," Valvano said Saturday, echoing earlier statements. "That does not mean I'm trying to absolve myself of responsibility since I'm the head basketball coach . . . but that does not include culpability."
Although Valvano never has been accused of involvement in the myriad problems that have faced the Wolfpack, he has been hammered by editorials calling for his dismissal. On Saturday, three more North Carolina newspapers joined the fray, and the New York Post reported that Valvano had authorized his attorney, Art Kaminsky, to deal him out of the remaining three years of his 10-year contract.
When he returned to Raleigh on Friday, Valvano said he intended to meet with university officials. Saturday, he said: "No, I have not, nor am I planning to meet with anyone."
He would not say, however, whether Kaminsky had met with school officials.
by CNB