Williams' History Starting Freshmen Point Guards

With Joel Berry having moved on from North Carolina and the possibility that freshman Coby White could end up starting at point guard for the Tar Heels this coming season, we thought it would be interesting to learn how often Roy Williams has started freshmen at the point at Kansas and UNC and how those players fared.

Here’s what we uncovered:

Vaughn started all 35 games for a Jayhawks team that went 27-8 overall, 9-5 in the Big 8, lost in the semifinals of the Big 8 Tournament and Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

7.8 points and 5.2 assists per game

46.7 percent from the field, including 28-70 (40 percent) from 3-point range

Boschee started 32 of 33 games for a Jayhawks’ team that went 23-10 overall, 11-5 in the Big 12, won the Big 12 Tournament championship, and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

10.9 points and 3.7 assists per game

38.5 percent from the field, including 79-222 (35.6 percent) from 3-point range

Hinrich started 13 of 34 game for s Jayhawks team that went 24-10 overall, 11-5 in the Big 12, lost in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Hinrich averaged 5.5 points and 3.6 assists per game

Shot 42.9 percent from the field, including 25-80 (31.3 percent) from 3-point range.

Frasor started all 31 games for a UNC team that went 23-8 overall, 12-4 in the ACC, lost in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 assists

Shot 37.4 percent overall, including 27-87 (31 percent) from 3-point range.

Lawson started 31 of 38 games for a Tar Heels’ team that went 31-7 overall, 11-5 in the ACC, won the ACC Tournament and lost in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.

Averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 assists per game.

Shot 50 percent from the floor, including 31-87 (35.6 percent) from 3-point range.

Marshall started 20 of the 27 games a Tar Heels’ team that went 29-8 overall, 14-2 in the ACC, lost in the ACC Tournament championship game and lost in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.

Averaged 6.2 points and 6.2 assists per game/

Shot 42 percent from the field, including 20-52 (38.5 percent) from 3-point range.

Paige started 34 of 35 games for a Tar Heels team that went 25-11 overall, 12-6 in the ACC, lost in the ACC Tournament championship and in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 assists per game.

Shot 35.6 percent from the floor, including 45-131 (34.4 percent) from 3-point range.

Britt started 15 of 34 games for a Tar Heels’ team that went 24-10 overall, 13-5 in the ACC, lost in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Averaged 5.1 points and 2.4 assists per game.

Shot 36.7 percent from the floor, including 3-12 (25 percent) from 3-point range.

Yes, Williams has no qualms about giving the keys to a freshmen once he believes the young player can handle it. He’s done it many times in the past and very well could in a few months. If White is the best player suited for the job this season, he will start.