Williams happy UNC hired Davis as its new coach
Phoenix Suns wing Cam Johnson couldn’t have been happier to talk about two of his strongest ties to the University of North Carolina last week.
Roy Williams and Hubert Davis. Johnson wished Williams well in his retirement as men’s head basketball coach earlier this month and was happy to see North Carolina hire Davis to take over the program.
“It was an honor to play for Coach Williams,” said Johnson, who played two seasons at UNC (2017-19). Incredible coach. You just look at his track record. Unbelievable. So just happy to have the opportunity to play for him.”
Johnson’s younger brother, Puff Johnson, just finished his freshman year at North Carolina this past season after attending Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix.
Williams finished his coaching career with 903 career victories, which ranks third all-time in men’s college basketball, and three national titles in 33 seasons.
“I’m thankful for him,” Cam Johnson continued. “I obviously wish him the best in retirement and I’m really happy with Coach Davis. Coach Davis is one of the best guys you’ll ever meet. I think he’ll do a great job with the program. I think it’s in good hands. I’m happy. Looking forward to getting back down
there and seeing Coach Williams and Coach Davis and seeing where they take this.”
North Carolina hired Davis to replace Williams after working nine years as an assistant under the Hall of Fame coach. Davis led UNC to the 1991 NCAA Final Four.
“It’s huge for Hubert,” said Suns coach Monty Williams, who was a teammate of Davis’ for two seasons with the New York Knicks (1995-97). “Not only has he paid his dues as an assistant coach, he went there. Has a ton of experience.”
Davis is the first African-American men’s head basketball coach at North Carolina.
“I’m always watching Carolina games because of Hubert,” said Monty Williams, who played for Roy Williams on the USA Basketball under-22 World Championship Qualifying Team in 1993 while at Notre Dame. “I’m just happy for
Hubert. I’m happy to see a guy like that get an opportunity.”
Monty Williams’ ties to Davis go beyond being coaches, teammates and having played for Roy Williams.
Davis is from Burke, Va., which is less than an hour from where Monty Williams was born in Fredericksburg, Va. Monty Williams played high school ball at Potomac in Oxon Hill, Md., which less than 20 miles from Burke.
“He’s the guy for the job,” Monty Williams said about Davis. “If he wasn’t, they wouldn’t have him there. That’s how they roll. They stay in-house and I’m just happy for him. He’s just a good dude. I played with him. That guy could shoot the lights out the ball. Really smart. Understands the game and high, high character, integrity.”
Monty Williams said most of his family is from North Carolina with several of them being fans of the Tar Heels.
Having Davis as head coach makes the Tar Heel family chatter far less annoying.
“I have to listen to it more than I care to,” Monty Williams said. “So I’m just happy Hubert’s there.”