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UNC Basketball: Leaky Black returns to practice for the Tar Heels

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 16: Micaiah Henry #11 of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles battles for a rebound with Sterling Manley #21 and Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 108-58. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 16: Micaiah Henry #11 of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles battles for a rebound with Sterling Manley #21 and Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 108-58. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball freshman Rechon “Leaky” Black has returned to practice for the first time in over a month as the Tar Heels head into tournament play

As we enter tournament play in March, the North Carolina Tar Heels could get some much needed depth back on the roster.

For the first time since late January, freshman wing Rechon “Leaky” Black has practiced with the Tar Heels. Black hasn’t played or practiced since suffering an injury in a win over Georgia Tech on the road.

Head coach Roy Williams announced on his weekly Monday night radio show that Black was indeed at practice and participated.

“We’ve got some hopes for him,” Williams said on his radio show Monday night via Inside Carolina. “He looked okay. It will be really interesting to see how he feels tomorrow.”

The 6-foot-7 Black is part of UNC’s 2018 recruiting class that also includes guard Coby White and forward Nassir Little. Black has yet to really have a big impact for the Tar Heels but has played well when he’s seen action.

The forward averaged 2.9 points, 2.1 rebounds in 20 games this season and posted a 1.9 assist-turnover ratio.

Black is expected to practice again this week as UNC heads to Charlotte for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament but Williams didn’t reveal if the freshman would return this week. The best case scenario is that he will be able to play in the ACC Tournament if the Tar Heels reach the finals on Saturday.

But at this point, it appears more likely that Black would return for an NCAA Tournament run for the Tar Heels.

UNC is also missing sophomore forward Sterling Manley who suffered an injury in late December for the Tar Heels. He recently returned, playing in just three minutes in two games vs. Boston College and Clemson.

It’s unknown if Manley will be able to return for either tournament and play significant minutes as Williams appears to have his rotations set. Either way, we should keep an eye on the status of both players in March.

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