Graves grateful for 2nd chance

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina junior Will Graves keeps his 2009 national championship rings right beside his bedside pillows.

After being suspended last February for violating unspecified team rules, he says they are a reminder of what he missed while sitting on the bench for the final 18 games of the season. And of what he wants to accomplish this year.

"I look at them every day, and I pray that I stay healthy and that everyone listens to Coach," said Graves, a 6-foot-6 wing from Greensboro. "And that we come together and we can make another drive to the Final Four and try for it again -- while I'm on the court."

Graves, making his first public remarks since his suspension, declined to say what rules he broke: "I just did some things that a Carolina basketball player is not supposed to do."

But after only being able to practice with the team, he reiterated that he's sorry and that's he's learned from his actions.

"It was a humbling experience ... but now, I'm just eager to get back into games and do whatever the team needs me to do," he said.

And that could be a lot.

Despite averaging only 2.9 points during his 56 career games, Graves is in a position -- either wing guard or wing forward -- to contend for a starting slot on a thin perimeter that lost Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green and Bobby Frasor from last year's title team.

"He's potentially our best outside shooter," said coach Roy Williams, whose team opens practice tonight with its usual "Late Night" bonanza of skits and scrimmaging. "He's potentially our best rebounder from the perimeter. He's potentially our best post-up guy from the perimeter spot, maybe as good a passer as we have on the team.

"[He's] a guy that, if he does what I think that he can do, can easily be a double-figure scorer for us. It remains to be seen if he's going to be focused enough to do it, but if he does, our team will be a heck of a lot better because of it."

Although UNC has been ranked in the top five of several preseason polls, Williams said his coaching staff, after discussing the team for 18 hours over a three-day retreat earlier this week, doesn't know what to expect from the Tar Heels. Carolina also lost four-time All-America Tyler Hansbrough but welcomes one of the top freshman classes in the country, making it an interesting mix of savvy experience and untested talent.

Graves, however, is certain about his goals: "One, to stay out of trouble. Two, just do whatever the team needs me to do, whether it's lead by example or giving Marcus [Ginyard] another defensive stopper out there so he doesn't have to be the only defensive stopper. Just start out with the little things and go from there, because the more little things that build up, the bigger the outcome."

Williams said he hopes the suspension "hurt" Graves, and that the player learned from it.

Added senior Deon Thompson: "Having to sit on the sidelines and watching us win a national championship, I hope that lights a fire in him to want to help this team, this year."

Graves said it "definitely" does, that looking at last year's title rings every day makes him want to win another set -- a set earned while playing.

"[What happened last season] just adds fuel to the fire to come out here and lead a young team to another national championship," he said. "... I've learned, and I'm looking forward."

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