GoHeels Exclusive: Media Day Notebook

Coby White, Nassir Little, Rechon "Leaky" Black

The freshman trio of Coby White, Nassir Little and Leaky Black has drawn praise in the preseason.

Photo by: Jack Morton

October 10, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers

Q&A: Roy Williams Q&A: Luke Maye & Kenny Williams Late Night Details Photos

By: Pat James

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

After two weeks of preseason practice, North Carolina men's basketball coach Roy Williams met with reporters on Tuesday afternoon during the team's annual media day.

Here are five notes from his press conference, leading up to Late Night with Roy, held Friday at the Smith Center:

Identity comes with time
About seven months have passed since Joel Berry II and Theo Pinson played their last game for the Tar Heels. Tuesday, Williams was asked how the team has adjusted to no longer having two of the winningest players in program history on the roster.

"No question I liked having Joel and Theo out there and the experience they had, the toughness Joel had and the way that Theo made every moment fun," Williams said. "But that team is gone. … I think with each and every team it's a new team, and you go from there. It doesn't do you any good to think about so-and-so.

"I pulled on those experiences to help the team and to talk to the team about them. Now I'm just wanting Joel and Theo to make it (in the NBA), and hopefully we'll win a couple of games, too."

As of now, Williams added it's still too early to glean much information about what the 2018-19 team's identity will be.

"You know in the back of your mind that you've got three seniors who have played a lot of basketball and averaged in double figures, you asked them to play in big moments and so they know what that is," Williams said. "You've got three freshmen who are very gifted and who give you the new enthusiasm I always talk about. And the guys in between, you hope they've gotten better."

One or two bigs?
After UNC used a smaller lineup late last season, one of the biggest questions surrounding Carolina entering this season is if Sterling Manley, Garrison Brooks or Brandon Huffman can develop enough for Williams to employ a traditional two-big lineup.

Currently, Williams is still waiting for one of them to establish himself.

"Sterling, Garrison and Walker (Miller) have all had their moments," said Williams, who added that Huffman hadn't practiced until Tuesday because of an injury. "But I'd really like somebody to step up and say, 'I'm the best,' and show it every day."

Williams went on to reference his stubbornness about wanting to play two bigs. But he also said he isn't unwilling to play small.

"If we had to do it, I'd still do it," Williams said. "But I'd feel more comfortable the other way."

Point guard battle
At the point guard spot, where the Tar Heels are looking to replace Berry, Williams said he's searching for the same assertiveness that he wants from his sophomore bigs.

"I'd like it if one guy really steps up and says, 'You've got to play me more than you play anybody else,'" Williams said.

Freshman Coby White and junior Seventh Woods practiced with the white and blue teams, respectively, on Tuesday. Williams said freshman Rechon "Leaky" Black has also spent some time at point guard.

"I think Seventh has gotten better," Williams said. "I think Coby is coming fast. But unless you're telling me I'm playing tomorrow for my life, I don't think I have to make a decision today, so there's going to be quite a bit of time yet."

Freshmen draw high praise
In addition to White and Black, Nassir Little helps form a heralded freshman class that has not only impressed Williams on the court, but also with its work ethic, mental preparation and academic success.

"The first thing you love is they're talented," Williams said. "They're gifted. There's no question about that. I think playing in Nassau gave us an opportunity to see them in game action that a lot of times you don't have …

"They've really put me at ease, and I know they're going to step up and be able to play for us."

'Moving more freely'
After transferring from Pittsburgh to UNC, Cameron Johnson averaged 11.9 points and shot 41.5 percent on 3-pointers last season. But he continued to be bothered by hip issues that had plagued him since high school.

So on April 16, he underwent arthroscopic hip surgery. Johnson and the Tar Heels were cautious as he worked his way back from the surgery. He now appears to be rounding back into form.

"We went as slow as you could possibly go this summer," Williams said. "He was mad at everybody because he wanted to get out there and play earlier. I think (head athletic trainer) Doug (Halverson) and the doctors really did a great job, and he looks like he's moving more freely, looks like he doesn't have as much pain and doesn't look as stiff."