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Megan Buckland didn't go to the University of North Carolina on Tuesday intending to commit four years of her life to the school.

The rising Bishop McGuinness senior, one of the most sought-after female basketball players her age in the country, visited with her dad for a doctor's appointment and an unofficial tour of the campus.

When Villains coach Brian Robinson was invited to Buckland's home Wednesday night and saw that Megan was unusually anxious, it didn't take much to realize she had "one of those you-just-know feelings," he said.

The News & Record Player of the Year made it official that evening, turning down her other leading suitors, Florida State and N.C. State, before calling Tar Heels coach Sylvia Hatchell.

"There was no reason why I wouldn't commit," Buckland said. "I didn't want to leave."

Buckland, a 6-foot wing, averaged 20 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game during the 2009-10 season, setting school records for points (594), 3-pointers (80) and free throws attempted (156) and for 3-pointers made in one game (seven).

For a second straight year, she was the Most Outstanding Player of the Villains' Class 1-A state championship victory, despite tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee late in the third quarter.

Buckland, an alternate on the USA Basketball U16 team in 2009, said trying to work the knee back into shape with leg extensions, curls and other balancing exercises has been painful but not unbearable. She was cleared to shoot flat-footed last week, and she said she hopes to remove the brace from her knee within the next two weeks.

"She's been aggressively attacking the rehab process," Robinson said, "and I wouldn't expect anything else."

The Tar Heels, coming off a 19-12 season and their ninth straight NCAA tournament appearance, were intrigued by Buckland's long, spring-powered frame in the mold of their current wings. But they also liked how she found different ways to lead the Villains each of the last two seasons — blending in on a loaded team two seasons ago, taking over when needed with a sophomore-heavy lineup this season.

"They like that she fits into a team concept without hurting her individual game," Robinson said.

Buckland had more than 30 Division I scholarship offers, and few backed off even after her devastating injury. Making the decision Wednesday was a welcome punctuation mark.

"I don't think I've seen Megan that happy since I met her," Robinson said. "She was smiling the whole conversation with Coach Hatchell, and in school today, she's still that happy."

Buckland said: "I'm really excited about the decision. It will definitely be a good fit for me."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com