As expected, UNC forward Ed Davis will return for this sophomore season.
The school released a statement Sunday, saying the sixth man wanted to end all of the speculation about his future.
“I love being a student at Carolina and playing with my teammates for Coach (Roy) Williams,'' Davis said in a prepared statement. "I’d like to play in the NBA someday, but my family and I don’t think I’m ready to take that step. I’m glad this decision is behind me so I can focus on the rest of the school year and get ready to be a better player next season.”
Davis averaged 6.7 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Tar Heels, who won their fifth NCAA championship on Monday.
Juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, who tested the NBA waters last summer before returning for one more season, have not announced their decisions yet.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
How Bout Those Heels!
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 11:24 — SurferWhat an awesome run this year! The Championship game was fun and relaxing to watch. I have been out of pocket for a week, so I guess I missed a lot of discussion? Anyway on to next year. Davis certainly is making the right decision and with more minutes will be more impressive on both ends of the floor.
I am selfish.....
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 09:20 — pammy1while I agree with Ed staying and would be surprised if Ty and Wayne stayed (and don't blame them at all for leaving now) I would LOVE to see that team next year if they all stayed! Imagine Ed, Tyler Z and Deon in the frontcourt and Ty and Wayne in the backcourt along with Marcus back, Larry Drew and the number one recruiting class.......hmmmmm......well.....I can DREAM, can't I???
Davis et. al. returning to UNC for 2009-10 season
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 10:54 — jaytee103We can all dream, can't we? I had the same dream myself. I see NCAA Champions two years in a row with this dream team that you mentioned. Oh well, let's keep hope alive. UNC will be all right, regardless of whether Lawson and Ellington return.
Davis would have been drafted in the first two rounds.
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 07:59 — EddieafishJust like Marvin Williams because the NBA is all about what they percieve as potential. I also think the result would have been all too like Marvin. Don't dissagree at all that he is not ready! Ed and his family have their heads on straight, can afford to be smart and know way more about what they are doing than I do. I also think Ed may be like Tyler and really understand that he has one shot at his college years and a long time to play for pay.
I would be shocked to see Wayne stay! He has proven what he needed to proove to the NBA evaluaters and I will be happy to see him cash in even though I will miss seeing him play.
What a
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 21:23 — UNC1998commendable decision. Davis will play in the NBA. That's a certainty.
Potential
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 20:21 — the_wb91This is based on potential... he actually does run the floor well. He needs to develop a face up game of course. He definitely has the potential so I think hat in hand is a little out of pocket. He is athletic, aggressive, and have all the tools to develop into a dominate player.
91 reply
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 22:14 — hat_in_handhey 91. i def think he will be an NBAer. Davis can run the floor, but when hit with a pass on the run- he has to stop and make some kind of move instead of continue the flow to the basket. Ty hit him 3x in the final 4 and DGreen laid one out for him. 2 turnovers, one shot blocked and one kick out of bounds. Right now, he is just a decent college player. Good defensively and a semi-bull on the boards. He was much much better in the NCAAs.
For a Freshman
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 19:58 — jeromfitzthat's a smart move. Davis got an All-American on lockdown with more time available to play. He's the best defender I've seen from a freshman in a while from UNC. I hope this progress continues until his decision to move forward to the NBA.
What makes sense ?
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 19:56 — hat_in_handDavis to the NBA ? are you kidding me ? He would get crushed. He should run to the weight room and get a TH work ethic if he wants to play up there. He is nowhere near an NBA prospect now. He does not run the floor very well and he has no face up game at all. But that is why he came to UNC. He can work on it. Ty will go. Wayne will probably stay. He will be the main scoring option and will get his proper due and will go higher in '10. He def has the NBA game. He should stay and work on his strength for those 1-1 bumps he is definitely going to get up there.