Roy Williams and UNC basketball will have another teammate on their bench when the Tar Heels take on NC State on Tuesday.

11-year-old Scott Lenfestey of Cary, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age three, will join head coach Roy Williams on the UNC bench. Scott is a recreational basketball player, a Carolina fan and a cancer survivor.

Scott’s journey to the Tar Heels’ bench began last summer at the American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer Invitational golf event at Pinehurst. Williams, a long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer, served as honorary chair of the tournament, which itself raised more than $1.5 million, and offered up the “UNC Basketball Courtside Experience” auction item.

A year ago, five-year-old Luke Morin died from an inoperable brain tumor. Williams and Hunter Morin, Luke’s grandfather, are close friends and the tragedy led the UNC coach to help further fund childhood cancer research. The courtside experience was purchased by UNC basketball supporters Munroe and Becky Cobey and they decided to give the experience to a childhood cancer survivor.

Scott’s parents both attended UNC and he was treated by Dr. Stuart H. Gold at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Today, Scott visits Capitol Hill each year to share his story and secure funding for research.

Scott’s mother, Nancy, credits support for cancer research funding with saving her son’s life.

“It has given him an opportunity to do the normal things in life that he missed out on while fighting cancer,” she said.

Related Stories
‹
Dakota's Notebook: Hubert Davis Is Making All the Right Moves
Hubert Davis is still new to his role as UNC’s head coach, but he’s already making all the right moves. It wasn’t a surprise when UNC hired Davis to be Roy Williams’ replacement and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the new head coach is quickly embracing his new role. Davis enters at the dawn […]
'A Carolina Guy': UNC Introduces New Head Coach Hubert Davis
With Roy Williams sitting in the front row, Hubert Davis took the stand for the first time as UNC’s head coach on Tuesday afternoon in the Dean E. Smith Center. Davis takes over as head coach after spending the past nine season as an assistant coach on Williams’ staff. Williams announced his retirement last week after 48 […]
UNC Will Introduce Hubert Davis as Head Coach Today. Here's How You Can Tune In
Just days after Roy Williams’ retirement, UNC hired longtime assistant Hubert Davis to be the next men’s basketball head coach. “I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this program,” Davis said in a release. “I would not be here without Coach Dean Smith, Coach Bill Guthridge and Coach Roy Williams; […]
'I Love This University': UNC Hires Hubert Davis as Men's Basketball Coach
UNC Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham stayed within the Carolina Family and hired Hubert Davis as the next head coach of the Tar Heels men’s basketball team. Davis, 50, takes over as head coach after spending the past nine season as an assistant coach on Roy Williams’ staff. Williams announced his retirement last week after 48 […]
Art's Angle: The 'Real' Roy
I am the right man for the job. I thought I was the right man for 15 years at Kansas, and thought I was the right man at North Carolina. I would never say I’m the best man for the job, because I never thought I was better than anyone else.” […]
Inside Carolina Live: Discussing Roy Williams' Retirement
UPDATE April 5, There was a recording error that caused an omission of the last 15 minutes of the on-demand version of the show. This is now corrected in the audio player. On this week’s edition of Inside Carolina Live, Tommy Ashley and Joey Powell spoke about everything related to Roy Williams’ retirement — […]
'Thank You for Everything': Fans, Players React on Social Media to Roy Williams' Retirement
To most people, the news of Roy Williams’ retirement on April 1 seemed like an April Fool’s Day joke. But upon further inspection, the news that UNC’s Hall of Fame coach is retiring was legitimate. People quickly took to social media to react to the news and reflect upon Williams’ legendary career in college basketball. […]
Photo Gallery: Roy Williams Holds Retirement Press Conference at UNC
An emotional Roy Williams was joined by UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham and UNC chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz during his retirement press conference within the Dean Smith Center on UNC’s campus on Thursday, April 1.
From the Archives: UNC vs. Gonzaga in Roy Williams' Final National Championship
In 2017, Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams earned his third, and final, national championship win when UNC defeated Gonzaga. It was an emotional title for the Tar Heels, who came within seconds of winning the championship in the year prior. With the news that Williams is retiring, let’s look back through photos from that […]
Roy Williams Announces Retirement After 18 Years With UNC
Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams announced his retirement on Thursday after 18 years with UNC basketball. Williams, who led North Carolina to three national championships, steps down after 48 seasons of coaching and 903 wins as a college basketball coach. The Carolina men’s basketball program announced Williams, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Athletics Director […]
›