McCants turns down chance to play in NBA to be with ailing mother

Former UNC basketball player Rashad McCants, who did not play in the NBA last season, had a chance to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers summer league team this month but chose instead to come to Raleigh to be with his ailing mother, a breast cancer survivor.

McCants, who averaged 15 points a game in 2008 for the Minnesota Timberwolves, didn't play as much in 2009 and was traded to Sacramento which eventually refused to re-sign him. He sat out last season.

McCants, a native of Asheville, is only 26 and seemingly had an NBA-type game even when in college. He was considered moody at UNC but he hasn't gotten in any trouble since turning professional.

He says that playing in Europe is not an option. Eventhough his surly reputation remains, hopefully he'll get another chance with the Cavaliers or maybe the Celtics (he's friends with Kevin Garnett).

An article on McCants titled "Born to be hated, dying to be loved" appears in the most recent ESPN The Magazine.