Lucas: Lebo Understands Carolina Family

By Adam Lucas

Creighton Lebo won't have to wait for the first time he checks into a game as a North Carolina Tar Heel to hear what's likely to be this year's most commonly used storyline about the freshman guard.

Lebo was in the Tar Heel locker room recently preparing to do an interview when fellow freshman Puff Johnson happened by.

"What's he doing?" Johnson asked. Told Lebo was doing the same freshman interview Johnson had already completed, Johnson grinned.

"That's easy," he said. "I'm Creighton Lebo, and my dad played here."

Yes, Creighton Lebo's father is Jeff Lebo, the former Tar Heel sharpshooter who remains second all-time at Carolina in three-point field goal percentage (42.8%, including a sparkling 46.4% as a junior that remains the fourth best single season in UNC history) and fourth all-time in free throw percentage (83.9%).

So shooting is in the blood. But that doesn't fully explain why Lebo is a Tar Heel. Keep in mind that ever since his 2005 championship team, Roy Williams has extolled the virtues of recruiting the sons of coaches. He believes they have a little extra basketball savvy, a little more understanding of the game, and perhaps start the first day of practice just a little bit ahead of their non-coaching fraternity teammates.

And Jeff Lebo has an extensive coaching pedigree, including stops at Auburn and East Carolina. Creighton Lebo is actually the third generation of basketball talent in the family; his grandfather, Jeff's dad, is Dave Lebo, a longtime successful coach at Carlisle (Pa.) High School who has also served on several of Jeff's staffs.

Creighton spent most of his childhood going from gym to gym. If he wanted to spend time with his dad, watching practice and then taking a few shots afterward was a perfect way to do it.

"Growing up and being around a coach, you learn little things, tips and tricks," Creighton said. "Being around college practices all my life, I get a hold of things a little bit quicker and it takes me less time to learn things."

It helps that the Lebo family pedigree meant Creighton received an early and consistent basketball education. As a nine-year-old, he met Dean Smith for the first time.

"Dean Smith means a lot to me because he means a lot to my dad," Lebo said. "They had a close relationship. I remember meeting him for the first time and it was awesome. He was a great man. Not just as a coach, but he prepared players to be good people and good men. He did all the little things people didn't always see."

But even with his history, it wasn't always a certainty that Lebo would be a Tar Heel. Spots in the Carolina basketball program are coveted; Creighton knew he'd have to prove on the basketball court that he belonged. Eventually, Roy Williams offered him a slot; Lebo recalls walking out of the basketball office feeling as though he was in a dream.

His first summer and fall in the program was atypical. Because of the virus, there was no parade of former players stopping by to play pickup, no camps where dozens of little kids and Tar Heel hopefuls begged for autographs.

Even in an unusual year, though, there is one constant: the overwhelming feeling of walking into the Smith Center and realizing the cavernous cathedral is your home arena.

"Being in the Smith Center and being able to walk in and shoot on that court is just awesome to me," Lebo said. "I try to go out there as many times as I can. It's still amazing. I'm still trying to soak it all in."

Players Mentioned

Puff Johnson

Creighton Lebo

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