The UNC men’s basketball program officially announced Thursday that sophomore forward Dawson Garcia would miss the rest of the 2021-22 season due to illnesses in his family. Garcia hasn’t suited up for Carolina since January 22.

Garcia, who transferred to UNC from Marquette this past summer, is originally from Prior Lake, MN. He was averaging nine points and five rebounds per game for Carolina and had established himself as a regular starter before suffering a concussion against Boston College in early January. His best game as a Tar Heel came when he scored 26 points against Purdue in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off in November.

“I love coaching Dawson and understand his primary concern right now is his family’s health and welfare, and his focus continues to be with them as it should be,” said head coach Hubert Davis. “We miss him being part of our program and wish him and his family well and look forward to his return to the game at the appropriate time.”

Garcia also put out a statement of his own. It’s his first statement since leaving the team.

https://twitter.com/Dawson23lee/status/1491901126454697991

“Not everyone will understand, but those who know our family are very aware of the circumstances and challenges we are facing,” Garcia said. “As much as I love this University and basketball, being in the middle of a health crisis is where our family is right now and it’s where I need to be.

“After the loss of several very special family members this past year, I came close to losing my dad in December and my grandma is currently in the ICU,” he went on to say. “With my dad recovering and my grandma fighting for her life, it’s not even a question to me where I need to be right now. My family is my world and I will always be there for them.”

Garcia is now the second Tar Heel to be ruled out for the season. Redshirt sophomore Anthony Harris was previously ruled out due to undisclosed reasons.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

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