Book Claims Player Abuse : ‘Sugar Daddy’ Tied to North Carolina Drugs

“Personal Fouls,” the book about North Carolina State basketball, alleges that Chris Washburn used cocaine as a player and that a “sugar daddy” gave the team gifts and substances to mask drug abuse, the Charlotte Observer reported.

The newspaper, which obtained an advance copy of the book Thursday, also said author Peter Golenbock quoted an unidentified player as saying Coach Jim Valvano knew Washburn was using cocaine.

The book, the Observer said, quotes an unidentified former teammate as saying the following about Washburn:

“ ‘Wash’ would play games on coke. The first half he’d play great, and then the coke would wear off, and in the second half he wouldn’t do a thing.”

Washburn, who left North Carolina State after his sophomore year, has been banned for life by the NBA for substance abuse.

The book also says “sugar daddy” supplied players with money, clothes, stereo equipment and substances to mask drugs in urine tests, according to the newspaper.

Valvano, North Carolina’s basketball coach and athletic director, could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Art Kaminsky, said neither he nor Valvano could comment until they read the book.

“A quick review of ‘Personal Fouls’ by university officials indicates the book is a work of fiction and has no relationship to the reality of the fine basketball program at NCSU,” Albert Lanier, vice chancellor for university relations, said in a statement read by a university spokeswoman.

“Therefore the university does not find any reason to further address the book, point-by-point or in general.”

Golenbock quoted former Wolfpack Manager John Simonds extensively but did not identify many of the players he claimed to have interviewed.

Golenbock referred to that practice as “something I hate to do but in many cases the only way I could impart the information and at the same time protect the source. Almost every conversation I had, I taped. The tapes are in a safety deposit box.”

Simon & Schuster announced in February that its Pocket Books division had dropped plans to publish the book. It was published by Carroll & Graf Publishers.

The original dust jacket, distributed in January, accused Valvano of exploiting his players and claimed wrongdoing in academics, drug testing and finances, among other things.

Valvano and Chancellor Bruce Poulton denied the claims. Valvano said Golenbock did not contact him about the book.