On Thursday (Aug. 2) — a day after his birthday, UNC basketball announced that it will name the floor of the Smith Center after coach Roy Williams.
There will be a dedication ceremony three weeks from now — during a UNC basketball reunion on Aug. 24. It will be named “Roy Williams Court.”
It’s been an amazing run for Roy Williams at his alma mater; since returning to the university in 2003, the Tar Heels have won three national championships and three ACC tiles. In that span of time, Williams has won 424 games — second most in program history — and led the Heels to eight Elite Eights and five Final Fours.
Under Williams, North Carolina has missed the NCAA Tournament just once in his 15 seasons as head coach. UNC has put guys in the pros, too: 18 of his players at North Carolina have become first round picks in the NBA Draft.
Williams on why this is such a special moment for he and his family:
I love this place. For 15 years as the head coach and 10 as an assistant, I’ve tried every day to give everything I could to make the Carolina Basketball program better. Fortunately, when I started I had Coach (Dean) Smith, Coach (Bill) Guthridge and Eddie Fogler, who taught me everything about running a program
The first time anyone will get to see the new floor in use for a game will take place in late-September, when the Charlotte Hornets, and Marvin Williams, arrive for training camp and a preseason matchup with the Boston Celtics.