Frieder Responds to Reports

Former Arizona State basketball coach Bill Frieder gave his reaction Tuesday to reports that two of his players will be indicted in connection with a point-shaving scandal.

“I devoted 32 years to this profession and poured my heart and soul into the game--working 16- to 18-hour days--and I’ve worked too hard to go three against seven,” said Frieder, a reference to three honest basketball players going against two cheating players and the other team. “So I’m angry, disappointed and hurt.”

Frieder, who resigned Sept. 10 after eight seasons at Arizona State, said he is cooperating with an FBI investigation into alleged point-shaving during the 1993-94 season.

ABC News, CNN-SI and the Arizona Republic reported that Stevin Smith, Arizona State’s second-leading career scorer, and one other player are expected to be indicted by a federal grand jury as early as next month. The Republic and CNN-SI identified the second player as Isaac Burton.

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Fresno State guard Chris Herren voluntarily left the team, saying he has “slipped up” in a long-term battle with substance abuse.

Herren, who had problems with drugs and alcohol as a teenager in Boston, sobbed as he told reporters, “This is a winnable battle, and one I had been winning.”

Herren was last season’s top scorer for the No. 12 Bulldogs.