Oct. 8, 2008

CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina senior men's basketball forward/guard Marcus Ginyard had surgery this morning at UNC Hospitals to correct a stress fracture in his left foot and is expected to be out of action for approximately eight weeks.

Doctors inserted a screw in his fifth left metatarsal. The Alexandria, Va., native was Carolina's defensive player of the year in each of the last two seasons, was a member of the all-tournament team at the 2008 ACC Championships and has started 55 of the 107 games he has appeared in as a Tar Heel.

"You hate this for Marcus because he has worked so hard to get ready for his senior season, but he decided it was better to have the surgery now and be ready sometime in December, than risk a more substantial injury that would knock him out of action later in the season," says head coach Roy Williams. "We will miss his play on both ends of the floor as well as his leadership with the young players. I am hopeful others will step forward to fill those roles. Marcus has been a joy to coach and I look forward to his return."

Ginyard started all 39 games last year, averaging a career-best 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He made both the coaches' and media ACC all-defensive teams and was UNC's defensive player of the game 11 times, including the NCAA East Regional title-game win over Louisville. He scored in double figures in all three ACC Tournament victories.