Shooting Guard: Kenny Williams
Lost in the incredible junior year rise of Luke Maye was the significant improvement of fellow junior Kenny Williams.
Williams played a career-high 31 minutes a game and scored 11.4 points per game while shooting over 40% from three. His increase in scoring was remarkable, as he almost doubled his point output from a year before.
His consistent stroke from behind the arc is what kept the Tar Heels in a lot of games. Williams went 6-for-12 from three in UNC’s first matchup against Duke, which helped win the game.
Though Williams became more of a scorer in his third season, he never lost his touch on the defensive end of the court. Roy Williams said as much in an interview with the Fayetteville Observer:
"“Kenny is 11.4 and 39.6 from the 3-point line. But he is our best perimeter defender, which doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.”"
Williams looks to build off a terrific year and reach new heights his senior season. He will also look to be a major piece in a deep tournament run after inexperience and injury kept him from playing a role in UNC’s back-to-back title runs.
Alternate Option: Nassir Little
If Roy Williams decides to go big it could pit elite freshman talent Nassir Little against Williams for a starting spot. That decision would be a near impossible one to make as both are great players.
Would Williams really bench a senior for a freshman? It’s doubtful, and Little will probably play more minutes at small forward this season anyways. UNC’s back court size and players could win one-on-one matchups.
If Williams decides to go small in the front court, he could look to add size in other places with Little as an option.