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North Carolina Basketball: 20 Greatest Players to Ever Play for Head Coach Roy Williams

By Tristan Freeman

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Dean Smith Center on January 20, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Dean Smith Center on January 20, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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24 Mar 2002: Head coach Roy Williams talks with Drew Gooden #0 of Kansas on the bench in the second half against Oregon during the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The Kansas Jayhawks beat the Oregon Ducks 104-86 to advance to the Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/ Getty Images.
24 Mar 2002: Head coach Roy Williams talks with Drew Gooden #0 of Kansas on the bench in the second half against Oregon during the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The Kansas Jayhawks beat the Oregon Ducks 104-86 to advance to the Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/ Getty Images. /

10. Kirk Hinrich – Kansas Jayhawks (2000-2003)

Career stats: 12.4 ppg 3.8 rpg 4.7 apg

The reinvention of Hinrich was a seven assists a game as a sophomore to focusing more on scoring was beneficial to Kansas during the beginning of the century. He averaged 17.3 ppg to lead the Jayhawks his senior season, while scoring 16 ppg to help the team make the title game. His 16 points wasn’t enough to beat Syracuse in that game.

9. Ty Lawson – North Carolina Tar Heels (2007-2009)

Career stats: 13.1 ppg 2.9 rpg 5.8 apg

A three-year starter at the point guard position, Lawson averaged no less than 5.0 apg in each season. His best season was in 2009, where he won ACC Player of the Year averaging 16.6 ppg and 6.6 apg. In what was an outstanding performance throughout the NCAA Tournament, Lawson led all scorers with 21 points, six assists and eight steals to help win it all in the title game.

8. Drew Gooden – Kansas Jayhawks (2000-2002)

Career stats: 15.6 ppg 9.2 rpg 1.6 apg

He was really good the first two years, but Gooden’s final season was one of the best individual campaigns in recent memory. He was a First-Team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year thanks to his 19.8 ppg and 11.4 rpg, and got his jersey retired in the rafters the following season.

7. Raymond Felton – North Carolina Tar Heels (2003-2005)

Career stats: 12.5 ppg 4.1 rpg 6.9 apg

When Coach Williams arrived at UNC in 2004, Felton was a sophomore. The 6’1 guard became one of the all-time greats at his position in the program, dishing out seven dimes a game and playing a huge part in the 2005 title team. Had he’d stayed another year, Felton could have been be the all-time assists leader at UNC.

6. Nick Collison – Kansas Jayhawks (2000-2003)

Career stats: 14.8 ppg 8.0 rpg 1.8 apg

Few, if any players in Kansas Basketball history has more wins than Collison, who was an instant impact player from his freshman season onward. His senior campaign put him on the map for NBA scouts, averaging 18.5 ppg and 10.0 rpg. Collison was awarded Big 12 Player of the Year and an All-American. He saved his best performance for last, with 19 points and 21 rebounds in the title game against Syracuse in 2003.

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