UNC Chapel Hill Reaches Out to Rashad McCants to Discuss Public Statements on Alleged Academic Fraud Scandal

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill officials have reached out to Rashad McCants about his recent statements supporting the ongoing academic fraud scandal in the school's athletic department.

Vincent Ille, UNC - Chapel Hill associate athletic director, confirmed to the Charlotte Observer that a university-authorized letter was sent to McCants' residence asking the former basketball player to contact the school. Ille said he also sent McCants two text messages, but none of the above have been returned.

"I learned today of public statements you have made that indicate your knowledge of potential NCAA rule violations involving the University of North Carolina," the letter reads, according to the Observer. "I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss this in greater detail."

Last week, the NCAA announced it was reopening its investigation into fraudulent classes at UNC - Chapel Hill offered to basketball and football players. A former reading specialist at the school, Mary Willingham first alleged last year that UNC - Chapel Hill's African American Studies (AFAM) dept. was hosting false classes that never met. In these classes, almost exclusively taken by football and basketball players, students needed only to turn in one term paper for a final grade.

McCants told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" (OTL) about a month ago that he once spent a semester in four AFAM "paper classes" and wound up on the Dean's List as a result. McCants shared a copy of his academic transcript with OTL to prove his enrollment in four AFAM courses in one semester, receiving high marks in each one.

He said his former teammates took these classes to stay academically eligible to play basketball and that coach Roy Williams knew about it.

Last week, the NCAA announced it was reopening an investigation they conducted in 2011. At the time, the NCAA only penalized the football team for improper benefits and academic fraud with the loss of scholarships and a postseason ban.

Shortly after the NCAA's announcement, McCants appeared on a Sirius Radio talk show to say he had not spoken with the NCAA.

Both UNC - Chapel Hill and Williams have outright denied the allegations of academic fraud. Willingham, who resigned recently, has also brought forward a lawsuit against the school, claiming she was treated with hostility for speaking out.