DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710030853

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   51 lines

JASON CAPEL MAKES VERBAL COMMITMENT TO UNC

Calling it a ``very gut-wrenching'' decision, St. John's at Prospect Hall star Jason Capel verbally committed to the University of North Carolina on Thursday, passing on the chance to play for his father at Old Dominion University.

The 6-foot-7 Capel, the nation's fifth-best player according to one publication, had narrowed his choices to ODU and North Carolina early last summer. He chose the Tar Heels after making his official visit to Chapel Hill last weekend.

``I've always wanted to play for my father, but I've always wanted to go to North Carolina, too,'' Capel said. ``North Carolina's got tradition, they send a lot of guys to the NBA and Coach (Dean) Smith is one of the best, if not the best, coach in the country. I like everything about the school.''

Capel said his father, Jeff, took the news well.

``I think the coach in him was disappointed, but the father in him wants his son to achieve and do greater things in life,'' Jason Capel said. ``Everybody's happy for me.''

Jason Capel was the Group AAA state player of the year as a sophomore at Chesapeake's Indian River High. He then transferred to St. John's where he averaged 21 points and nine rebounds and shot 78 percent from the field for a Vikings team that was ranked third in the country by USA Today last year.

``Jason is without a doubt one of the most complete basketball players I've ever coached,'' St. John's coach Stu Vetter said.

Capel will become the fourth player coached by Vetter to sign with North Carolina, joining Mike Pepper, George Lynch and Serge Zwikker.

Jeff Capel may have lost out on a potential impact player, but his son's decision did raise the possibility of a North Carolina-Old Dominion game in Norfolk. North Carolina typically plays a game in or near the hometown of its recruits.

It would be the second time Jeff Capel has led the Monarchs in a game against one of his sons. Old Dominion lost to Jeff III and Duke, 75-55, on Nov. 23 in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout.

``I didn't enjoy it the last time,'' Jeff Capel said. ``But the opportunity to play Carolina at Scope is something I'm really excited about. That's a phone call I've got to make in the next couple of hours. I'd like to play against Carolina.''

``I'm not so sure I want to see that,'' Jason Capel said. ``It was tough on the family when ODU played Duke. But if it does happen, we're going to beat 'em.'' MEMO: Staff writer Harry Minium contributed to this story. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Jason Capel

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