CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- Larry Drew II stunned North Carolina coach Roy Williams and his Tar Heels teammates with his abrupt departure from the program.

In a statement issued Friday by the school, the junior point guard said he was leaving because "it's in my best interest to continue my education and basketball career elsewhere."

The announcement came just four games after Drew lost his starting job to freshman Kendall Marshall. And it caught the No. 23 Tar Heels by surprise just before a tough stretch of games that includes next week's game at reigning national champion Duke.

Williams said Drew's father - Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew - informed him of his son's decision to leave in a phone call Friday morning. Williams said he was "shocked" by the news.