UMass Basketball Star Admits Guilt

HADLEY, Mass. (AP) â€” Massachusetts basketball star Monty Mack will have a misdemeanor shoplifting charge dismissed if he stays out of trouble for the next six months. <br><br>Mack, 23, admitted to sufficient

Wednesday, October 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HADLEY, Mass. (AP) â€” Massachusetts basketball star Monty Mack will have a misdemeanor shoplifting charge dismissed if he stays out of trouble for the next six months.

Mack, 23, admitted to sufficient facts for a guilty finding Tuesday before Northampton District Court Judge James McElroy four days after he was arrested leaving a Kmart store near the Amherst campus with seven DVD movies worth $159.93 hidden in his sweat pants.

McElroy continued the case for six months and said he would dismiss the charge if Mack stays out of trouble.

``Everybody's human and I made a mistake,'' said Mack, a three-year starter. ``I've apologized to my mom, the coaches, the team and the university.''

The fifth-year guard from Boston led the Minutemen with 19.8 points per game last season.

Mack, who played at South Boston High School, sat out his freshman year after failing to meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements, but gained a fourth year of playing eligibility, under NCAA rules, when he completed his degree in four years.

Coach James ``Bruiser'' Flint suspended Mack for the first three games of the season â€” two exhibition games and the regular-season opener on Nov. 18.

The team opens practice at midnight Friday.