Linn-Mar Senior Signs Intent With University of North Carolina

High School basketball star Marcus Paige said he knew some in the area were disappointed with his decision to not play basketball for the University of Iowa. 

In his defense, Paige said it's been a dream of his to play for the University of North Carolina since he started watching college basketball in middle school.

So signing his letter of intent to play for the University of North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon at his school, brought him one step closer to his dreams.

"This is where my heart and dreams were," he said.

He said that in visiting different schools and making his final decision, he often felt like he was being sold something. But, when he met the UNC basketball head coach, Roy Williams, he said he was honest.

"He is so straightforward," he said. "He does not sugarcoat."

Still, Paige's time at Linn-Mar is not yet over. The Linn-Mar Lions play their first game of the season against Solon on Nov. 22. And after last year, when they were ranked eighth in the county, there is a lot of work left to be done

During the short news conference in the media room of Linn-Mar, Paige's parents shared their pleasure at the news. His parents also raised Morgan Paige, who plays basketball for the University of Wisconsin.

"My boy is going to college," Ellis Paige, Marcus Paige's father said, smiling widely.