UNC Basketball: About Leaky Black’s career-night vs. Wake Forest

UNC Basketball defeated Wake Forest on Wednesday night 88-79 at the Dean Smith Center. Fifth-year senior Leaky Black scored a career-high 18 points.

Let’s talk about UNC Basketball senior Leaky Black for a minute. Let’s consider his journey. Let’s consider the injuries, the fight, and the commitment to this Tar Heel basketball team. Last night, Black recorded his career high in points at 18.

While many will look at that and wonder why a fifth-year senior took that long to get that point total, I would like to believe most Tar Heel fans don’t.

Born Rechon Malik Black on June 14, 1999, in Concord, North Carolina, Black committed to the 2018-2019 class at UNC. He came to the Tar Heels as a five-tool player. A player that can play all 5 positions, handle the ball, defend and so much more. Injuries hurt his early development. As a fifth-year, Black’s career numbers are 5.3 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. His career 3-point shooting performance is just under 30% (29.9%).

On paper, there is not much here that would attract many scouts or command much press. Tar Heel fans know better. The importance of Black was discovered in last year’s improbable run to the NCAA championship game. Late in the season someone somewhere discovered the value of Black to this team is his defensive mindset and ability. There is no question who will guard the best player on the opposing team. Any offense is an extra.

With Black, it’s never been about how many points he scores.

It has always been about how many points the players he guarding don’t score.

When he recorded a career-high 18 points last night, including 3-5 from the three-point line, Tar Heel fans celebrated. It’s not often that the guy that never gets credit for his effort, gets credit for his effort. He kept the Tar Heels in the game in the first half.

Appreciate him while he is in his final season.

There may never be another one like him.

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