CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Roy Williams said he fully expects wing Will Graves, who was suspended last February, to be on the court when the team opens practice in October.
He said Graves hasn’t been re-instated, per se, because the suspension was only for the remainder of last season.
“He’s got some conditions he’s got to take care of, and if he takes care of those conditions, he’ll be on our team Oct. 16 or 15th, whatever that Friday is,’’ Williams said. "… I’m under the assumption that he’s going to do what he was asked to do, and he’ll be out there on Oct. 15.”
Williams said the player made “great grades” during both of his first-session summer school courses. “He’s down in the weight room right now, and he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to do."
Graves averaged 4 points and 11.2 minutes on last year’s national title team before he was suspended for breaking an unspecified team rule. His return is key for the Tar Heels because they have so few other perimeter players returning.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Get it right
Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:16 — heelsno1blue cat-
Stop the constant bantering about the 3-year probation for KU. Williams was not the head coach when the reported violations happened. Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post regarding the inicident:
"The University of Kansas basketball team, the defending national champion, was placed on three years probation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association yesterday, mainly for paying "a highly visible transfer" recruit at least $1,244 during a 10-day period in June 1986, including a $366 cash payment by then-coach Larry Brown for an airplane ticket. "
In my opinion, your banter would be annoying even if you had your facts straight and if you could write in plain English.
holeno.1
Fri, 06/26/2009 - 14:42 — bluecatplain english?? did i not tell u that i spent my first 2 yra. at unc? i am now at duke and catching up quickly, but it takes time, please be patient. go duke!!!!!!!!!!!
Role Model
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 19:59 — tarheel73This is exactly what makes the Carolina basketball program a model for any school or almost any endeavor. Coach Williams (and Coach Smith and Coach Gutheridge before) puts principles ahead of expediency when coaching his players. He sees them as young men first and basketball players second. Compare that to other schools where public information reveals falsified test scores with coaches' knowledge. Makes you wonder what happens outside the public eye at some of these places.
tarhole73
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 08:30 — bluecatdid u all of a sudden forget ol roy and kansas -- 3 yrs probation, i dont think any school would like to follow that model, please dont use words like principles,and model when refering to the ol coach, u will make people think u dont know what u are talking about.go duke!!!!!!!
Glad to see the discipline
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 17:31 — GoHeels1984Glad to see the discipline was given for whatever reason. Too bad Will wasn't able to be on the team during the NCAA championship. Hopefully, this will be a good addition for this year. Go Heels!!
money, money
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 17:25 — bluecatkansas--3 yrs. probation, money, clothes. ol roy. go duke!!
Let's hope the kid does what
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 16:15 — ghuskethLet's hope the kid does what he is supposed to do and comes back strong. Last year his confidence seemed to be lacking so I hope that he is ready to take that next step because they will need him.
WHAT A PRIMA DONNA
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 16:11 — CrudeoilWHAT A PRIMA DONNA SCHOOL!
THROW SOME MORE MONEY AT IT!