The 18 greatest UNC basketball players of the Roy Williams era
By Jordan Falls
No. 11: Marvin Williams
Ironically, the next player on this list is also a one-and-done player. Marvin Williams was the first one-and-done player of the Roy Williams era in 2004. However, unlike Coby White, he never started a game for the Tar Heels, and you’re probably wondering, well, how is he ranked higher than White?
This is more of a testament to just how good the 2004-2005 team was and not so much against Marvin Williams. Williams came off the bench as the sixth man on the 2005 National Championship team, averaging 22.2 minutes per game. He averaged 11.3 points per game and 6.6 rebounds.
Williams also has one of the most iconic plays in the Roy Williams era.
The Tar Heels hadn’t beaten Duke since Roy’s return to Chapel Hill when they came to the Smith Center for Senior Day in 2005, and they trailed by 9 with 2:45 remaining in the game. With 17 seconds to go, Marvin Williams rebounded a missed Raymond Felton free throw and made the putback while getting fouled to give the Tar Heels the lead. The play helped beat Duke and win the 2005 ACC Regular Season Championship.
He was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2005, the ACC Rookie of the Year, and the USBWA National Freshman of the Year.