Keeping It Heel
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UNC Recruiting: Where will c/o 2018 five-star prospect Zion Williamson go to college?

By Blake Cockrum

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated North Carolina 61-49. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated North Carolina 61-49. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Dean Smith Center on December 30, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Dean Smith Center on December 30, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

The case for North Carolina

The University of North Carolina, with all its prestige and winning tradition, combined with its recent freedom from NCAA scrutiny and potential punishment, is an attractive landing spot for most elite recruits.

Consider this: Roy Williams has won more national championships that any other coach in the country since 2005. During that same stretch, Williams has won eight ACC regular season titles, and appeared in five Final Fours, also tops in the nation.

The Hall-of-Fame head coach has done it in a number of ways, recruiting both four and five-star players, and combining underclassmen with upperclassmen to find the right blend of star-power and experience.

And Williams’ players have seen a tremendous amount of success at the collegiate level, winning numerous awards at the conference level and nationally.

Players like Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Tyler Zeller and Justin Jackson have all won ACC Player of the Year honors under Williams. Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson and Kendall Marshall were each named Bob Cousy Award winners, and Hansbrough was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2008.

In the professional ranks, however, recent Tar Heels have had a little less success. Williams has seen his fair share of players go through the UNC basketball program and become successful pros, though.

Marvin Williams has seen great longevity throughout his years with the Hawks, Jazz and Hornets. Raymond Felton had a nice run as a starter in the NBA before taking a backup role to Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. Danny Green has put together a terrific career for a player that was a virtual afterthought to most NBA GM’s and coaches. And Harrison Barnes has become the face of the Dallas Mavericks over the last couple of seasons.

Throw in the fact that North Carolina is in the east coast market and gets nationally televised games on an almost weekly basis, and it makes for a nice place for Williamson to showcase his skills to the basketball world.

Career record: 831-220 (.790)
Record at North Carolina 413-119 (.776)

Noteworthy NBA players that played under Williams:
Paul Pierce, Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich, Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton, Brandan Wright, Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Ed Davis, Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Reggie Bullock

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