UNC Basketball: 10 Greatest Basketball Players in History
By John Bauman
Jan 20, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett (L) and North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams (R) shake hands prior to their game at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
10. Ty Lawson
Ty Lawson’s play in one word? Speed. Ty Lawson was known all around the country when he played at Carolina for being faster than the speed of light on the basketball court. He was fast and fearless on the fast break and an excellent leader at the point guard position. He was always an excellent defender, leading the ACC in Steals in the 2008-09 season.
That 08-09 season was probably his best, as he averaged 16.6 points and 6.6 asissts and was a consensus second team All-American. His Tar Heels also won the National Championship that season. Tyler Hansbrough was the emotional leader of that basketball team, but Lawson was leading the team from the point and getting the ball to the right people in the right places.
Lawson played three seasons in Chapel Hill and played 105 games in those three years. He averaged 13.1 points, 2.9 boards, 1.8 steals and 5.8 assists over the course of his career. He led the ACC in Win Shares in 2008-09 and was first in the ACC in True Shooting Percentage in both his sophomore and junior seasons. But stats don’t really do justice to the on court leadership and speed that Lawson provided for the Tar Heels.