What was once a men’s basketball freshmen class of five appears to have whittled down to three.

Freshman forward Mark Konecny withdrew from Syracuse University for academic reasons, head coach Jim Boeheim said after yesterday’s practice. Konecny informed Boeheim of his decision Monday night, the coach added.

‘Two nights ago he said he wasn’t doing well academically,’ Boeheim said, ‘and he didn’t think he could get done what he needed to academically. So he decided to withdraw.’

Konecny’s potential withdrawal would mark the second loss for the star-studded freshmen class. Before the season, Billy Edelin was suspended indefinitely for an alleged sexual assault.

While Boeheim insists Konecny is no longer enrolled at SU, Konecny maintains that he has yet to make a decision. Konecny said Boeheim gave him until today to inform him of his intent to withdraw or remain in Syracuse. Konecny said he would announce his decision following the meeting.

Boeheim said Konecny had not contacted him about meeting today.

Konecny has been removed from the roster on the team’s official Web site. He did not attend Syracuse’s 70-51 victory over Colgate on Tuesday night, and he was absent from practice yesterday afternoon.

Konecny could not explain why Associate Director of Athletic Communications Pete Moore released the one-sentence statement – ‘Mark Konecny has withdrawn from school’ – Tuesday night.

‘I don’t know,’ Konecny said. ‘I maybe made it kind of clear that I wanted to leave. But I really was on the verge of saying ‘Yes’ and saying ‘No’. They felt like I wanted to leave, and I wanted to say something.’

Assistant coach Mike Hopkins, who recruited the power forward, supported Konecny’s claim that the issue has yet to be settled.

‘He hasn’t (made a decision),’ Hopkins said. ‘The thing is still up in the air to him. I don’t think we should rush to any conclusions.’

Hopkins added Konecny has ‘struggled academically.’

The freshman cited ‘personal reasons’ for the possible withdrawal.

‘Things change,’ Konecny said. ‘It wasn’t anything to do with SU. It has nothing to do with coaches or any of that. It had to do with a personal issue.’

Konecny’s mother, Linda Konecny, refused to confirm that Konecny had withdrawn from school.

‘Hold tight,’ Linda Konecny said on the phone from her Southbury, Conn., home. ‘I’m not going to be making any comments at this time.’

Mark Konecny said if he chooses to transfer, other schools would be willing to accept him. Konecny said he intends to continue his collegiate basketball career, either at Syracuse or elsewhere.

The 6-foot-9, 235-pound Konecny played just five minutes this season in two games. He picked up two personal fouls, but failed to register a point, rebound or assist.

Assistant coach Bernie Fine declined to comment on the situation, but he praised Konecny for his demeanor on and off the court.

‘Mark is a great young man,’ Fine said. ‘He’s a very good player, and I would love to see him stay here. It’s a big mistake if he decides to go through and leave.’

Published on November 28, 2001 at 12:00 pm