April 16, 2004

Marvin Williams maintained that he was 90 percent certain he would choose college basketball at North Carolina over the NBA.
That 90 percent has turned into 100 percent. The 6-foot-9 All-American from Bremerton has ruled out the NBA and will play for the Tar Heels in the fall.

"He's happy with it," his father, Marvin Williams Sr., said of the decision. "I really think it's a good decision for him."

The Williams camp wanted to wait until after he made appearances last month at the nation's top two prep all-star games -- the Roundball Classic and McDonald's All-American Game -- to finalize the decision.

They wanted to gauge, based on reports from agents and scouts and others in the know, what his draft status would be if he turned pro.

While most agreed Williams would be a first-round pick, there was no guarantee he would be a lottery pick (top 14) in the June 26 draft. Marvin Sr. said he had been hearing that his son would fall anywhere from seventh to 13th to as low as 20th.

Only lottery picks are guaranteed big-money contracts.

"I think going to Carolina for a year or two, he could be a two or even a top pick," said Marvin Sr., who will move down to North Carolina this summer.