CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 27: Marcus Paige #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels moves the ball against the UAB Blazers during their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 27, 2014 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 89-58. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Marcus Paige Injury: Updates on North Carolina Star's Hand and Return

Adam WellsNov 4, 2015

North Carolina guard Marcus Paige fractured the third metacarpal in his right hand on Nov. 3 and missed the start of the Tar Heels' season. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

TOP NEWS

Paige Active vs. Maryland

Tuesday, Dec. 1

North Carolina announced Paige was starting Tuesday's game.

Paige Comments on Injury

Monday, Nov. 30

“I feel good," Paige told reporters when asked about his broken hand. "I don’t have any pain.”

Paige Vital to UNC's National Title Hopes

The Tar Heels have started the season 5-1, including a shocking loss to UNI that dropped them to No. 9 in the Associated Press poll released after the loss.

Paige's surprise return to school is a key reason for the optimism this season in Chapel Hill. Injuries did hinder his performance last season, as he dealt with plantar fasciitis starting in January and had surgery on his right ankle to remove bone spurs after the Tar Heels' season ended.

Williams has built tremendous depth this season, bringing back most of last year's roster that included Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson and Joel Berry, but Paige is the oil that keeps this machine running after leading the team in scoring and assists a season ago.