Nicks skips final season

University of North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks will forego his final year of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2009 NFL Draft, he announced Monday. A 6-1, 210-pound junior, Nicks set UNC single-season records in 2008 for receiving yards (1,222) and touchdowns (12). In his final game against West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, he caught eight passes for a UNC-bowl record 217 yards and three touchdowns.

"I have decided to file the paperwork necessary to enter the 2009 NFL Draft," said Nicks. "I met with Coach (Butch) Davis after the game and I appreciate the feedback he gave me and the support he has provided during the decision-making process. His contacts in the NFL are invaluable."

A native of Charlotte, Nicks made several outstanding catches against the Mountaineers, and posted touchdown grabs of 73, 66 and 25 yards in the first half. His 217 yards receiving were the second-most by a Tar Heel, and he became just the third player in school history to post a 200-yard receiving game. His behind-the-back catch against West Virginia was ESPN's No. 1 play of the bowl season.

"Carolina has been a special place for me," said Nicks. "I want to thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the Tar Heel fans for supporting me during my three years in Chapel Hill. It was a dream come true to play at UNC. I look forward to representing North Carolina in the NFL."

In just three seasons, Nicks has established 14 school records at UNC, including career receptions (181), career receiving yards (2,580) and career touchdowns (21). In his senior season, Nicks was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after catching 68 passes for 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is the only player in UNC history with more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

Nicks surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark five times in 2008 and 10 times in his career, both UNC records. He led the ACC and ranks 12th in the country with 94.0 yards per game. The only three-year player in ACC history with more career receiving yards than Nicks is former Georgia Tech All-America and 2007 NFL first-round pick Calvin Johnson.

In 2007, Nicks set the UNC single-season record with 74 receptions. Nicks finished his career with 14 Carolina receiving records.

Crisp named to All-American Bowl

Chapel Hill High offensive lineman Robert Crisp was one of 10 high school juniors to be invited to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 12 months. The juniors were invited to work out in the combine at this year's game last Saturday and recieved an offer to play in next year's showcase. A 6-7, 300-pound talent, Crisp is already one of the most coveted prep players to don Tiger gold.

The Chapel Hill native already has received scholarship offers from North Carolina, N.C. State, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Clemson, Miami, Maryland, Boston College and East Carolina.

Four players committed to UNC played in this year's Army All-American game, including receiver Joshua Adams, defensive lineman Donte Moss, kicker C.J. Feagles and "athlete" Donavan Tate; offensive tackle Brennan Williams committed to Carolina at the bowl game. Moss is ranked the No. 16 overall prospect in the country while Tate is ranked No. 104 and Williams No. 164 by rivals.com. The top defensive end in the nation and a Jacksonville Northside High product, Moss should help an already talented Tar Heel defensive line get even better.

Meanwhile, Gastonia wide receiver standout Jheranie Boyd played in the Under Armour All-American game on Sunday. Boyd is ranked the No. 34 overall prospect by rivals.com and picked Chapel Hill over the likes of Oklahoma, Florida and Auburn.

BASEBALL

Diamond Heels on top of poll

North Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the Ping!Baseball preseason rankings and placed five players on the Web site's preseason All-America squad, which was released earlier this week. First baseman Dustin Ackley, second baseman Kyle Seager and right-handers Matt Harvey and Alex White were all first-team picks, while left-handed reliever Brian Moran claimed a spot on the third team.

With Moran joining the preseason All-America parade, a total of six Tar Heels have earned preseason accolades. Right-hander Adam Warren was recognized earlier this month by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Ackley and White, both junior returning All-America selections, have been consensus first-team preseason All-America picks for 2009. Seager also claimed All-America honors as a sophomore in 2008, giving the Tar Heels multiple returning All-Americas for the first time in program history.

Carolina will open the 2009 season Feb. 20 at the brand-new Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium against VMI.

LACROSSE

UNC ranked eighth preseason

Inside Lacrosse Magazine, in conjunction with Face-Off Yearbook '09, has issued its 2009 preseason NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Poll with Coach Joe Breschi's initial North Carolina team ranked in the eighth spot. The rankings were released shortly after midnight on Monday morning.

Breschi's Tar Heels will face a host of teams in the preseason Top 20 during the regular season, including No. 1 Virginia, No. 3 Maryland, No. 5 Johns Hopkins, No. 7 Duke, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 11 Navy, No. 15 Hofstra, No. 16 Denver and No. 17 Colgate.

Nine of Carolina's 14 regular-season games will be played against preseason Top 20 opponents.

BASKETBALL

4-C's camp

The 20th annual 4-C's basketball camp has announced its summer schedule. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Camp, directed for two decades by longtime area coach Frank Camp, will offer the hoops academy July 6-10 for boys entering grades five, six and seven.

The camp will be held at the Smith Middle School gym and will run 9 a.m. until noon each day. Cost for the week is $90 and includes a T-shirt, but the application should be sent along with a $30 deposit before camp begins. For more information, contact camp at 918-2145 ext. 21905.