Nov. 14, 2006

CHAPEL HILL - William Graves, a freshman forward on the University of North Carolina men's basketball team, will sit out the 2006-07 season as a red-shirt, head coach Roy Williams announced Tuesday before the regular-season opener against Sacred Heart.

Graves will have four seasons of athletic eligibility remaining. He earned 2006 North Carolina High School Player of the Year honors while attending Dudley High School in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C.

"After talking to the young man and his family, we all agreed this was in both William's and the program's best interests," says Coach Williams. "He will continue to practice, but won't play this year. I don't know anyone who won't be better in his fifth year of college than his first. He's a good kid and I know he will continue to work hard to help us get better."