Williams: 'I Was Able To Coach a Magnificent Group of Kids'

There’s very little Joel James, Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige haven’t seen during their time at Carolina.

The UNC careers for those three seniors came to a close on Monday night with a loss in the national championship game, leading to an emotional press conference from UNC head coach Roy Williams.

“I’ve had some really, really good teams and some really, really good players,” Williams said with a shaky voice. “And I’ve never been as proud of a group as I am this group right now.”

Marcus Paige hit a game-tying three with under five seconds remaining in the game before Kris Jenkins hit the buzzer-beating three that won the game for Villanova. The senior guard said that he wouldn’t trade any part of his time at Carolina.

“At some point tonight, I have to take this jersey off, and I never get to put it back on,” Paige said. “I’ll just have to rely on all the memories I have with my teammates because, I’m telling you, this was probably the most fun year of my entire life.”

Williams was quick to credit Paige after a year where the toughness of the Tar Heels was questioned at different points in the season.

“I’ve coached a lot of guys, but I’ve never coach anybody any tougher than that kid,” Williams said of his senior guard.

Williams also pointed to Paige’s character off the court as an example for others to follow.

“I just sit back and understand the kind of youngster – not just basketball player – but the kind of youngster that I’ve been able to coach for four years,” Williams said.

Williams said he’s “not very good” in those moments in the locker room immediately following a loss like Monday night.

“Because I can’t take away the hurt,” Williams said. “I’m not very good because I can’t change that. I told them I loved them. I told them I wished I could’ve helped them more and that I appreciated them from the bottom of my heart.”

It is clear that amid all of the “stuff” and “junk” as Williams calls it that has hung over the UNC basketball program for the last four years while James, Johnson and Paige were on campus, this group has left a lasting impression on their coach.

“I was able to coach a magnificent group of kids that for the whole season tried and tried and tried,” Williams said. “And for the last five weeks, they tried and were really, really good.

“And tonight, the other team made a shot at the buzzer.”

Williams: ‘I Was Able To Coach a Magnificent Group of Kids’

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

On Air Now: 97.9 FM