Apologetic Lee Admits He Lost His Cool

Arthur Lee staged a dynamic, head-spinning performance in leading Stanford back from the brink of defeat to a Final Four appearance. One part, he’d like to take back.

Lee said Tuesday he was sorry for the mocking choke signs he made when Rhode Island guard Tyson Wheeler missed three free throws near the end of Stanford’s 79-77 win in Saturday’s Midwest Regional final.

“If I was in my right mind, there’s no way that would have happened,” said Lee, who seemingly willed the Stanford rally by scoring 13 of his 26 points in the final 2:04.

“I’m sure everyone in the whole world could see I was intense and just gone. I was in another world. I was in a zone. I hope people realize that. I really didn’t mean that he was a choker. The fact is, he’s a great player. He did so much for Rhode Island throughout his career and he’s going to be a great pro. It was just something that happened and it was definitely wrong.”

Lee also has written a letter of apology to Wheeler and he said he sent it to him earlier Tuesday.

“I thought it was very unfortunate,” Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. “As soon as I saw it, I started yelling at him. He made a mistake and he knows it.”

Montgomery said he told Lee he had to deal with the mock choking episode because, “it wasn’t going to go away.”