Luke Maye's business professor at UNC says he definitely WOULD HAVE given the kid a break if he skipped his 8AM class morning ... only because Maye hasn't missed a single class all semester.
We spoke with C.J. Skender -- who was teaching his 8 AM accounting class Monday when he and Maye's classmates gave a standing ovation to the basketball star.
Skender says the video of Maye sitting in the front row isn't unusual -- "He's a great kid. Humble. Always comes to class."
In fact, Skender says he's a had a great experience with UNC superstar athletes from all sports over the years who attend class and participate .