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UNC Basketball: Kenny Williams is out for the season

By Bryson Gordon

Nov 18, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams speaks to guard Kenny Williams (24) during the first half against the Hawaii Warriors at the Stan Sheriff Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams speaks to guard Kenny Williams (24) during the first half against the Hawaii Warriors at the Stan Sheriff Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNC guard Williams injures knee, expected to have surgery next week.

On a night that UNC obliterated their rival, NC State, for the second time this season, they got some awful news as it relates to the status of guard Kenny Williams.

Williams missed Wednesday’s game against the Wolfpack due to a knee injury, and it was revealed in Coach Roy Williams’ post game press conference that the sophomore guard will be undergoing season-ending surgery.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /

Before the game, Coach Williams did not give many specifics about the injury. Now we know after the game that surgery will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the year.  Williams was sporting crutches during pregame in Raleigh tonight.

Williams was finally beginning to scratch the surface in his time as a Tar Heel. He was averaging six points per game on 42% shooting, including 34% from three-point range. He was starting to find his stroke from deep this season.

His presence was also felt on the defensive end. Williams is widely regarded as the best perimeter defender on the team. Now everybody on the roster must step up to fill the void.

The injury of Williams comes at a disappointing time for the Tar Heels. Sure, they just got Theo Pinson back from injury, but this team was hoping to find its stride in March. This team has only played two full games with its entire roster available to play.

As for what the injury means for the long-term, Theo Pinson will likely become the permanent starter. Pinson did start the NC State game in the absence of Williams. This could also mean enhanced minutes for freshmen Seventh Woods and Brandon Robinson. We have already seen an improvement in Woods’ play, and Robinson has shown many times this year that he is a serviceable player.

The loss of Williams certainly hurts, but he is not irreplaceable. Williams is a solid player on both ends of the floor, but there are plenty of guys on the UNC bench who can step up and fill the empty spot.

Keep it locked in to Keeping It Heel for updates on Kenny Williams and continued coverage of the 2016-17 North Carolina basketball season.

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