The Syracuse men’s basketball team may be close to losing another freshman. First-year forward Mark Konecny said late last night he is considering withdrawing from Syracuse University.

Konecny contradicted an earlier statement from Associate Director of Athletic Communications Pete Moore.

‘Mark Konecny has withdrawn from school,’ Moore said. Moore added that the decision must have come in the last day or two.

The freshman forward refuted the statement, saying he has not yet made a decision.

‘I’m not withdrawing,’ he said when reached last night by phone at his South Campus apartment.

Konecny said he will make a decision today or tomorrow. This comes after he was not present when Syracuse defeated Colgate, 70-51, at the Carrier Dome last night.

‘(Coach Jim) Boeheim told me to take it easy tonight,’ Konecny said.

Konecny’s girlfriend, Autumn Figueroa, said Konecny has already made up his mind, but she refused to elaborate.

‘He made his decision, and it’s final,’ she said.

If Konecny decides to leave, he said the decision will not be basketball related.

‘I have a lot of things to think about,’ Konecny said. ‘It’s not about basketball. It’s an outside issue.’

Lingering back problems may be one factor, Konecny said. He sat out the Nov. 18 game against Binghamton because of back spasms and didn’t play in the two games in Madison Square Garden last week. He did travel to New York City.

Konecny said he probably will practice with the team today.

If Konecny leaves Syracuse, he will be the second freshman to leave the university this season. Billy Edelin was suspended indefinitely prior to the season for alleged sexual assault, though he may return next season.

Konecny, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward, appeared in games against DePaul and Manhattan. He played one minute against DePaul and four minutes against Manhattan, picking up a personal foul in each game. He failed to register a point, rebound or assist.

Konecny, from Southbury, Conn., graduated from Holy Cross High School, where as a senior he averaged 24.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.

Sports Editor Eric Nathan contributed to this report.

Published on November 27, 2001 at 12:00 pm