Roy Williams provides injury update on Seventh Woods
North Carolina sophomore point guard Seventh Woods has sat out the Tar Heels’ last three games while dealing with a number of injuries, primarily to his left foot.
The Columbia, South Carolina native was first diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, missing the Tar Heels’ game against Davidson with an unclear timetable for his return.
More from UNC Basketball
- UNC Basketball: FIRST LOOK at Leaky Black in a Hornets uniform
- UNC Basketball extends offer to five-star Jasper Johnson
- UNC Basketball: Recruits taking unofficial visits to Chapel Hill
- UNC Women’s Basketball named captains for 2023-2024 season
- UNC Basketball: Pete Nance Signs With Cleveland Cavaliers
Woods remained out for the team’s next two home games, bouts with Tulane and Western Carolina. During that time, he was seen in street clothes at the Dean Smith Center, nursing his injured left foot.
Questions have continued to swirl regarding his health and a possible timetable for return. On Monday night, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams appeared on his weekly radio show, and provided an update on the Tar Heels’ backup point guard.
"“He’s going to be out quite a while,” Williams said. “We have no idea. We’ll have to wait and see how it looks. I know he’ll be out for four weeks. He may even be on crutches for four weeks.”"
Woods has officially been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot, substantially elongating the time that he will remain on the bench and out of the team’s rotation.
It’s an unfortunate injury, and one of bad timing, as Woods was getting more playing time and opportunities this season in the Tar Heels’ back court.
"“He hasn’t been healthy since he got here,” Williams said. “He’s had so many of those things. There’s a gear that people have seen every now and then, but not very often, and I used to see that a lot.”"
The bright side for North Carolina is that other Tar Heels are getting increased playing time in the lineup and taking advantage of additional opportunities on the court. Jalek Felton, in particular, has really stepped up in Woods’ absence.
Felton racked up 15 points in just 18 minutes in the Tar Heels’ rout of Western Carolina. He hit 5-of-8 shots from the floor, including 4-of-4 from the three-point line. He also dished out five assists to just two turnovers, and pulled down three rebounds.
Sophomore shooting guard Brandon Robinson has also been the benefactor of more playing time. He logged 18 minutes against the Catamounts on Wednesday, recording 10 points and four rebounds for the Tar Heels.
So while injuries are never a good thing, the Tar Heels may benefit in the long run. Keep in mind that the Tar Heels battled through injuries to Marcus Paige, Theo Pinson, Kenny Williams and Joel Berry II over the last two years, and things still turned out pretty good.
Next: Roy Williams or Rick Barnes? Who holds the edge?
Stick with Keeping It Heel for continued updates on Woods’ health, recovery and timetable for return.