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University of Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins said Tuesday he accepted the decision by senior guard Charles Williams to withdraw from classes last week, and that he would not be surprised if Williams pursued playing opportunities elsewhere.
''He's got to do what he thinks is best for him,'' Huggins said. ''What he told me a while ago is that he wanted to play a whole year.''
Huggins said he has not talked to Williams since Friday, the day Williams withdrew from classes at UC. The player's attorney, Anne Frayne, said Williams informed her Monday that he had left school.
Williams had been suspended by the NCAA for all but the final six games of the 1997-98 season because the organization determined he received improper help in achieving academic eligibility to play last season.
Williams started 25 games for UC until he was held out of the last six games, including the NCAA Tournament, as the school conducted an internal investigation of his eligibility.
Frayne has prepared an appeal of the 22-game suspension, which was filed by UC on Nov. 25. She expects a hearing to be held either Dec. 17 or 18.
In the appeal, Frayne contends the NCAA ''has denied Williams the right to receive the same educational opportunities available to nonstudent-athletes . . . in violation of his rights guaranteed under the constitution adopted by the NCAA.''
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