CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Marcus Paige will be the starting point guard for the North Carolina Tar Heels when they open the season, Coach Roy Williams has announced.

Paige is a 6-foot-1 freshman from Linn-Mar High School. He helped the Lions win the Class 4A state title as a junior in 2011 and averaged 28.1 points as a senior in 2012, helping the Lions place fourth at the state meet.

North Carolina hosts Shaw in an exhibition game Friday night and will open the regular season against Gardner-Webb on Friday, Nov. 9.

Paige is listed on the North Carolina roster as being 6-0 1/2 inches tall and weighing 157 pounds.

He was a Parade and McDonald's All-American.