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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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CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 9: Rashad McCants #32 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after defeating the Duke University Blue Devils in the game at Dean E. Smith Center on March 9, 2003 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 82-79. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 9: Rashad McCants #32 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after defeating the Duke University Blue Devils in the game at Dean E. Smith Center on March 9, 2003 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 82-79. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images) /

5. Paul Pierce – Kansas Jayhawks (1996-1998)

Career stats: 16.4 ppg 6.3 rpg 2.2 apg

Before he went off to become a Hall of Famer in the NBA, Pierce had a spectacular All-American junior season. He averaged 20.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg, the second year the program was part of the newly former Big 12 Conference. In three seasons, Pierce lost just 11 total games as a Jayhawk.

4. Rashad McCants – North Carolina Tar Heels (2003-2005)

Career stats: 17.6 ppg 4.1 rpg 2.1 apg

In Coach William’s first season with the Tar Heels, McCants led the team with 20 ppg as a sophomore. While he scored just a little bit less the following season (16 ppg), he played a crucial part of the 2005 national championship team, scoring at least 14 points in every game.

3. Sean May – North Carolina Tar Heels (2003-2005)

Career stats: 15.8 ppg 10.0 rpg 1.5 apg

He played just two full seasons, but May’s impact on the program will be felt for a long time. He led the team with 17.5 ppg and 10.7 rpg on the championship squad in 2005, with even bigger performances in the Big Dance that year. His 29 points and 12 rebounds against Wisconsin sealed their fate going to the Final Four. Then in the title game, May went for 26 points and 10 boards to beat Illinois to win it all.

2. Raef LaFrentz – Kansas Jayhawks (1995-1998)

Career stats: 15.8 ppg 9.1 rpg 0.7 apg

There might not be a coach in the sport with a better reputation when it comes to developing frontcourt players than Williams, with LaFrentz being the first example on his resume. The four-year starter won Big 12 Player of the Year in the first two years of its existence. His numbers came his senior year, averaging 19.8 ppg and 11.4 rpg. If it wasn’t for Danny Manning, LaFrentz might be considered the best Kansas Jayhawk of all-time.

1. Tyler Hansbrough – North Carolina Tar Heels (2006-2008)

Career stats: 20.2 ppg 8.6 rpg 1.1 apg

Although there have been some incredible talent over the years, there really was no other option for No. 1 on this list. Hansbrough’s worst numbers were his freshman year (18.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg) which normally would be incredible for the average player. He won National Player of the Year in 2008, averaging 22.6 ppg and 10.2 on the 36-win Final Four team.

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Hansbrough ended his career on the highest note possible, with 18 points and seven rebounds to defeat Michigan State to win it all in 2009, capping off another 20 ppg campaign. The 6’9 forward showed the toughness and leadership through four years that is rarely seen in the game today. He holds numerous ACC and school records and is the all-time points and rebounds leader at UNC. And a huge amount of credit goes to Williams as well, putting him in the position to succeed.

*Writer’s note: It was brought to my attention that I excluded a Kansas Jayhawk from the list. It was Jacque Vaughn, the all-time assists leader in school history with 806. He was a two-time All-American and Big 8 Player of the Year in 1996. While I give credit to the great scorers he got to play with during those years, Jacque absolutely deserved to be on this list and I apologize for the mistake. He would’ve been No. 8 after Raymond Felton.

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