UNC Basketball: Leaky Black joins elite Tar Heel company

In UNC basketball’s recent win over Boston College, senior Leaky Black reached an individual milestone that only a few Tar Heels before him have accomplished.

Leaky Black is a player who does not get the credit he deserves.

Based on social media posts about Black during UNC basketball games, we are sure that tons of fans will riot over the statement made in the first sentence. However, it’s time for everyone to realize that the senior hybrid has made a positive impact on the program during his time here.

To put his collegiate career into perspective, the Concord, North Carolina native recently joined some elite UNC basketball company with his latest statistical milestone.

Black became just the sixth player in Tar Heel history to record 500 points, 400 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 steals and 50 blocks during their time in Chapel Hill. If you’re wondering who the others are, you will most likely be impressed with the list:

James Worthy
George Lynch
Jackie Manuel
David Noel
Danny Green

This milestone just goes to show that although Black doesn’t necessarily thrive in one particular area, he is very good at impacting a basketball game in multiple ways.

With his defensive skillset as his strong point, Black is often assigned to guard the opposing team’s best scorer. More times than not, the senior forward gets the job done, and his ability to impact the other team’s best offensive attack often leads to great opportunities for his own team to work with.

Black may not be your No. 1 option to shoot the basketball but he has shown the ability to knock down shots when the Tar Heels need them most. When the ball is in his hands, he often makes smart plays that a veteran player should make, as he helps serve as another facilitator to feed the likes of Armando Bacot, Caleb Love and R.J. Davis.

When you look at a final box score from UNC basketball games, Black is not often the name that stands out. Some of the best things that he does don’t show up in that stat line — from hustling on defense to making smart passes that lead to open looks.

We’re not here trying to convince you that Leaky Black is a superstar. In fact, he’s yet another example of a player who has come through Chapel Hill that understood his role and worked hard to fulfill it.

Instead of throwing so much shade at Black, how about we all just take some time to appreciate him for his efforts in a UNC uniform over the past four years? His most recent statistical accomplishment goes to show you just how much he positively impacts the game in favor of the good guys.

When the Tar Heels win, it’s likely that Black somehow played a factor in helping them do so.

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for all the latest news and updates regarding Leaky Black and the rest of the UNC basketball program.