Oct. 28--If there were sham classes that athletes at the University of North Carolina were directed to take, it qualified as news to Reggie Bullock.
"I didn't know there were any of those classes there," said Bullock, the Clippers' second-year forward who spent three seasons playing for Tar Heels Coach Roy Williams.
An ongoing investigation at the school contends that, since 1993, more than 3,000 students -- about half of whom were athletes -- took Afro-American studies courses that assured them of high grades regardless of whether they attended class, turned in papers or took tests.
Bullock said he was a communications major who "definitely represented the school in the right way and I'm pretty sure the other players did too. ... I'm pretty confident that it's not what they're saying it is. It's a great university. It's always been represented in the right way."
Bullock had a relatively quiet preseason, averaging 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game, but he said he foresees this season as a second chance of sorts after an injury-plagued rookie season.
"I see it as a do-over," Bullock said, "but at the same time, I grew a lot when I was a rookie. I learned from a lot of players that were ahead of me, so it was good for me to get that year under my belt."
What did he learn?
"Just defensively, how coach wants his guards to play," Bullock said, "and I feel like I have those tools with my length, my athletic ability and the way I shoot the ball to be able to play that position that coach wants me to play."
