DRC article on Wilson leaves team

OldTimer · October 28, 2003

Basketball: UNT’s Wilson decides to leave team

07:23 AM CST on Tuesday, October 28, 2003

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

North Texas junior guard Mark Wilson has left the team for personal reasons, UNT coach Johnny Jones said Monday.

Wilson was a second team junior college all-American last season at Highland Community College (Freeport, Ill.) before signing with the Mean Green.

"Mark had some personal things he needed to take care of," Jones said. "He won’t be back."

Jones, 6-3, 210, averaged 22.2 points and 9.4 rebounds a game as a sophomore at Highland. He ranked among the top 25 junior college players in the country in both categories.

UNT still has five guards on its roster, including Leonard Hopkins. The junior started eight games last season and averaged 12.7 points a game before a foot injury cut his season short.

Those players are expected to help the Mean Green make up for the loss of three starters, including guards Chris Davis and Lee Green.

Davis averaged 19.0 points and 7.2 rebounds a game last season and is considered one of the best players in UNT history

The Mean Green is looking to bounce back from a 7-21 finish last season. UNT added five players since the end of last season, including four transfers.

Wilson scored 11 points in UNT’s Mid-day Madness scrimmage to kick off practice for the upcoming season Oct. 18.

"With all of the guys we have coming back we will be fine," Jones said. "It’s unfortunate, but we will move on."

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.

UNTLifer · October 28, 2003

Not good. Our best recruit is out the door before the season even starts. I wish him the best and hope he gets these issues resolved.

GrandGreen · October 28, 2003

Jones loses his most high profile recruit. I believe Jones is a very good bench coach but he certainly hasn’t added to his reputation as a good recruiter since taking the UNT job.