Ginyard talks about official visit to UNC

Marcus Ginyard has made at least eight trips to North Carolina, but none of them were quite like his last one.

The 6-foot-5, 180-pound senior guard from Alexandria, Va., who became the first member of UNC’s next recruiting class by committing 15 months ago, made an official visit to Chapel Hill this past weekend, taking in the Tar Heels first exhibition game of the season, a 113-54 thumping of Winston-Salem State Friday night.

Ginyard, who is ranked the No. 7 point guard and No. 41 prospect from the class of 2005 by Rivals.com, got a chance to spend time with several Tar Heels off the court, including freshmen Quentin Thomas and Marvin Williams.

“Quentin and Marvin are both really down to earth and were able to provide some insight because they were in my situation at this time last year,” Ginyard said. “Marvin talked a lot about practice.”

Junior center Sean May, sophomore point guard Wes Miller, Thomas and Williams all headed to Miller’s house after the game.

“I got to know the guys and they were all very cool and relaxed,” Ginyard said. “We were laughing a lot.

“Sean was the guy that I hung out with the most last year and he is really laid-back. He tells a lot of jokes.”

Ginyard, who watched a handful of games in the Smith Center last season, said he saw some noticeable changes in the players once they suited up for the exhibition.

“They really played together more, which is usually the first sign that a team is going to do well,” Ginyard said. “That got me excited. They also played better defense.”

Ginyard kept a close eye on junior point guard Raymond Felton, who dished out 11 assists.

“I watched Raymond the most of anyone,” Ginyard said. “I hope to play a lot of point guard, but UNC runs such a perimeter-based offense that the guards have to be able to play everywhere.”

Ginyard watched practice Saturday morning and then headed to Kenan Stadium with the players to watch Virginia Tech edge UNC 27-24 in an ACC football game. Ginyard was there a week earlier for UNC’s shocking 31-28 upset of Miami.

UNC’s basketball team was honored on the field during a break in action in the first quarter.

“It was my fourth football game at UNC and it was a lot of fun,” Ginyard said.

Ginyard ended his trip by having breakfast with head basketball coach Roy Williams on Sunday morning.

Ginyard begins practice today with Bishop O’Connell High School, which will be looking to defend its state title.

When will Ginyard be back in Chapel Hill next?

“As soon as I can,” he said. “As soon as I can.”