Feb. 13, 2000 11:06 PM AP

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Michigan basketball coach Brian Ellerbe denies a report that suspended freshman guard Jamal Crawford has told him he plans to turn pro after this season.

"Coach Ellerbe denies that Jamal Crawford has told him he wants to turn pro after his season. There is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever," university spokesman Tom Wywrot said Sunday night.

WKBD-TV reported Sunday night that Crawford, who is serving a six-game NCAA suspension, told Ellerbe he would turn pro after the season. Crawford leads Michigan in scoring with a 16.6 average.

Last week, the NCAA said Crawford must repay a Seattle businessman about $15,000 before he completes his college eligibility.

Barry Henthorn, president of Innovative Communications Technologies, a long-distance telephone company, has said he doesn't know how the NCAA expects Crawford to come up with the money. He said he doesn't want to be repaid and said if he is he is repaid he will give the money to charity.

The NCAA suspended Crawford for violating its rules concerning amateurism, based on his relationship with Henthorn. Crawford lived with Henthorn, with permission of his mother, for three years while he attended Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, the NCAA said.

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