Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Kenny Williams 2018-19 season in review

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a shot against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a shot against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Kenny Williams’ senior season at North Carolina was riddled with inconsistency, but his energy, intensity and defensive prowess throughout his four years with the UNC basketball program will not be forgotten.

Nassir Little | Rechon Black | Sterling Manley | Garrison Brooks | Coby White | Brandon Huffman | Andrew Platek | Seventh Woods | Brandon Robinson | Luke Maye | Cameron Johnson

One of three scholarship seniors on the North Carolina basketball team last season, Kenny Williams returned to Chapel Hill in 2018 alongside All-American forward Luke Maye and sharpshooter Cameron Johnson. The trio set out to accomplish what they couldn’t the prior season when the Tar Heels fell to Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Although they made it just one round farther than last year — obviously far short of their goal to start the season and upon earning a top seed in the NCAA Tournament — they won 29 games, an ACC regular season title, and nabbed a 1-seed in the big dance for a record 17th time.

The good

Kenny Williams, despite his struggles from an offensive standpoint, was a terrific defender all season long. His contributions on the defensive end of the court — particularly his ability to lock down opposing teams’ best scorer — was invaluable for the Tar Heels.

He was also a terrific passer during his final season in Chapel Hill. He averaged a career-high 3.5 assists as a senior, good for second-best on the team. He also connected on nearly 80 percent of his free throw attempts, which was fifth-best on the team, but third-best among regular players.

The bad

Kenny Williams had a rough season from an offensive standpoint. There’s no denying that. He shot worse, scored less and turned the ball over more than he did during his breakout junior season.

He shot just 39.9 percent from the floor for the season, and 29.5 percent from three-point range. He hit 49 fewer shots overall this season, including 29 less from long-range where he knocked down 72 the year before. He also committed 19 more turnovers than he did during his junior season — despite playing fewer minutes per game — and 29 more times than he did as a sophomore.

Best game

Williams’ best performance of the season came in a 79-70 victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the teams’ final regular season game of the year.

The senior shooting guard scored 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including a season-high 4-of-7 from three-point range to go along with six rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. He also had a big impact on the defensive end of the floor while being on the court for a team-high 39 of the 40 minutes played in the game.

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What the future holds

Kenny Williams’ time at the University of North Carolina is done; at least from a player’s perspective. What he’s setting up to do now, we do not know. He’s obviously got the ability to play basketball overseas or in the G-League, but a spot with an NBA team may be just a bit out of reach.

Then again, people said the same thing about Theo Pinson (and actually, they said it about Danny Green, too. That sure looks silly now.), and he’s doing pretty well for himself just one year removed from the college ranks.

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