Just about five and a half weeks ago–May 27 to be precise–UNC head men’s basketball coach Roy Williams underwent a total replacement of his right knee.

This past Tuesday, Williams ventured to Orlando to see the Tar Heels’ most recent NBA first-round draft choice, Brice Johnson, suit up in the Summer League for the Los Angeles Clippers.

While there, the coach stepped into the broadcast booth–where he answered questions from analyst Rick Kamla and another former UNC great, Vince Carter.

Williams hobbled through much of last season as his knee was giving him obvious discomfort. After offseason surgery, the issue should be behind him soon enough. (Todd Melet)

Williams hobbled through much of last season as his knee was giving him obvious discomfort. After offseason surgery, the issue should be behind him soon enough. (Todd Melet)

When Kamla asked Williams for an update on his health, the response was accompanied by the 65-year-old’s signature grin.

“The surgeon assured me I’d be able to play golf in August,” Williams said. “I said, ‘I’m gonna hold you to that.’”

Throughout the entirety of last season, it was even painful from the outside watching the Hall-of-Fame coach hobble his way onto the court and into press conferences–let alone what he must have felt on the inside being kept away from his beloved golf course.

“Last year I hurt every day,” he said. “At practice, I’d never sat down on a basketball court in 43 years until this past season.

“I asked Marcus Paige, ‘Marcus, does that bother you?” [Paige] said, ‘Coach, you sit down for 15 seconds then you get back up and keep going.’”

It’s that tireless work ethic that’s helped Williams achieve the type of success he has thus far in his storied career, and it’s the same mindset that should have him feeling much better entering this next season.

“I’m missing being able to get around,” he said. “I’ve got a cane but I can walk OK.

“The cane, the doctor said if you have that–people realize there’s something wrong with you and give you a little space,” Williams continued, with another hearty laugh.

He later stated in an assured manner that, “[The knee’s] gonna be better [this season].”

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