CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina junior swingman Rashad McCants has been given medical clearance to return to practice by team doctors. McCants will practice with Carolina beginning later this afternoon.

McCants has not played in each of Carolina's last four games (Feb. 22 at NC State, Feb. 27 at Maryland, March 3 vs. Florida State and March 6 vs. Duke) due to an intestinal disorder.

McCants played in every game in his collegiate career prior to the last four games. He was named third-team All-ACC on Monday. The Asheville, N.C., native is averaging 15.8 points and 3.1 rebounds and leads the team with 50 three-point field goals.

"How much Rashad practices over the next two days depends on how well he feels as we go along," says head coach Roy Williams. "We are pleased he is able to return to practice, but understand it's been more than two weeks since he last played basketball and it may take some time to get his legs back. We will have no idea how much he can play Friday, if at all, until we get through these two days of workouts and make an assessment of his progress."

McCants last played or practiced on Saturday, February 19, when he played 19 minutes against Clemson. He only saw action in four minutes of the second half of that game, however, before leaving with an upset stomach.