Theocharidis, who was found to have played in 22 matches with a professional team in Europe before enrolling at UH in August 1999, commented through Dejan Miladinovic, a former UH teammate.

Theocharidis did not return messages yesterday.

"He's very sorry for what happened," said Miladinovic, who declined to use Theocharidis' name. UH officials have told current players and members of the 2002 team not to disclose the identity of the accused player.

Miladinovic said Theocharidis did not intentionally mislead university officials, who had questioned him at least three times about his amateurism. According to NCAA rules, a player forfeits his amateur status if he plays on a professional team. UH athletic director Herman Frazier confirmed the accused player was a member of a professional team before enrolling at UH, although he did not receive a salary or sign with an agent.

"He made an honest mistake," Miladinovic said.

After a UH investigation uncovered Theocharidis' association with a professional team, "he was primarily concerned about the program and the guys who would play in the future," Miladinovic said.

When the NCAA announced Friday that the Warriors would not be placed on probation for the coming season, "he was very grateful," Miladinovic said. "His main concern was how this would affect the future of the program."

Miladinovic said Theocharidis is "OK. But he's very sorry for what happened . . . He wanted people to know that."