Suspended F DJ Funderburk out for NC State opener

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina Statecoach Kevin Keatts said suspended forward DJ Funderburk is now allowed to practice with the team but won't play in the season opener against Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Georgia Tech.

Keatts suspended Funderburk indefinitely in late September for violating team policy, and later said Funderburk had "benchmarks" to meet in order to work his way back to the team.

Keatts said Monday that he's allowed Funderburk to practice in recent days because he is "starting to move toward the things that I've asked him to do."

But Keatts said there's still no timeline for Funderburk to be cleared to play.

The Wolfpack and Yellow Jackets play Tuesday.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pound redshirt junior is the team's top big man after averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds last year as a reserve.