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UNC basketball legend Jawad Williams set to join the Cavaliers' coaching staff

The 2005 national champion is headed home to Cleveland.
ByLuke Sugar|
Jawad Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers with Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs looking on
Jawad Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers with Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs looking on | Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Former Tar Heel and member of the 2005 juggernaut national championship squad, Jawad Williams, hits a big career milestone, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach.

This move for Williams marks a full-circle moment for the Ohio native. Williams was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio — a suburb of Cleveland — and he attended St. Edward High School, also located in Ohio. Taking the Ohio connections a step further, Williams spent all three of his NBA seasons on the Cavaliers. Obviously, Williams is a Tar Heel through and through, but his Ohio roots run deep — it’s in his blood.

During his NBA career, Williams averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds for the Cavaliers. However, during his college days, Williams was a stud at Chapel Hill. Over the course of his four seasons, Williams averaged just under 13 points and 5 rebounds per game. He was a three-year starter and was an integral part of UNC’s championship run during his senior season. That iconic 2005 championship doesn’t happen without Williams.

Williams was a dream teammate, doing a little bit of everything. He brought versatility, high energy, floor-stretching ability, impressive bounce, and he could even handle the rock fairly well for a 6-foot-9 forward.

Prior to his new position with the Cavaliers, Williams was an assistant coach and director of player development for the Sacramento Kings. Now, Williams is walking into a very nice situation in Cleveland. 

The Cavs are fresh off a season as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, finishing three games ahead of the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics. And although their postseason was cut short, falling to the Indiana Pacers, the Cavs have a bright future with their “Big 4” of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. They also have strong depth pieces in De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Max Strus. They have some work to do after a disappointing playoff, but Cleveland will continue being a contender in the East for years to come.

Tar Heel Nation is happy that Jawad is headed home and wishes the Carolina legend a very successful career in Cleveland.

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