Carter Decides To Attend Graduation

May 20, 2001

Associated Press

TORONTO - Vince Carter plans to attend his graduation at the University of North Carolina on Sunday morning and then fly on a private plane to Philadelphia for Game 7 against the 76ers.

If all goes as planned, he'll receive his diploma around 10 a.m. ET and arrive in Philadelphia by 1 p.m. Tipoff for the Toronto Raptors-76ers game is 5:30 p.m.

"It's a difficult decision, but nevertheless it's made and it's over," Carter said Saturday. "I'll go there, say my thank-yous, smell the city one more time and then I'm gone to Philly."

After scoring 39 points Friday night to lead Toronto to a 101-89 victory that tied the series at three games apiece, Carter spent two hours with team officials discussing his desire to attend his graduation.

He will be traveling to and from Chapel Hill, N.C., on team owner Larry Tanenbaum's private plane, and university officials have agreed to accommodate Carter by awarding him his diploma in African-American studies at the beginning of the ceremony.

Carter's mother, Michelle, and his agent, Merle Scott, planned to make the trip along with Tanenbaum and Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald, said Dave Haggith, a spokesman for Carter.

Carter spoke privately with his teammates at practice to inform them of his decision.

"It's something that happens once in lifetime. He put his time in and he wants to get his papers. I hope he thinks he's making the right decision," Charles Oakley said. "We've got a big game tomorrow, but I'm behind him."

Teammates Antonio Davis and Chris Childs issued terse no comments when asked about Carter's plans, although others said they had no problem.

Coach Len Wilkens warned Carter that he would be leaving himself open to severe criticism if he plays poorly in Game 7.

"It could motivate the hell out of him, too. It could be a very positive thing," Wilkens said. "My only concern is whether the weather changes and it takes twice as long to get back."

Carter left North Carolina after his sophomore season to apply for the NBA draft, but continued to pursue his degree and completed his final correspondence course earlier this season.

He will be introduced at the graduation ceremony by ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott, a North Carolina alumnus.

"It's going to be a short quick visit," Carter said. "People who criticize me for that, they have something to think about, I think. That's an important time in anyone's life, and there's not one person who can say that they wouldn't miss their graduation for nothing."

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