One of the unsung heroes from North Carolina’s run to the national championship doesn’t always fill up the box score with points. But his play doesn’t go unnoticed for UNC fans and now even national fans and reporters.
Senior forward [autotag]Leaky Black[/autotag] is not only one of North Carolina’s best defenders, but he’s one of the best in the country and he’s proving that in this tournament. Black has been fantastic on the defensive end, locking down players in each of UNC’s five wins so far. That includes AJ Griffin who has scored just 11 total points in the last two games against UNC both with Black guarding him. He’s just 3 of 12 from the field and 1 of 7 from three.
Black’s journey in his UNC career has been a bumpy one but he’s showed up when it mattered the most for the Tar Heels. Following the game on Saturday, Black talked about his turnaround and attributed it to a former teammate of his.
Nassir Little.
“My boy Nas. I talked to him for hours last night. He was always like my best friend when he was here,” Black said following the game via Isaac Shade of Locked On Heels. “For me, what turned my season around after the rough week with Miami & Wake Forest, really it was talking to Nas after Miami ’cause he came to see me. The conversation we had, I can’t really say what was said, but it gave me the confidence to start shooting the ball. The next game was Virginia Tech and after that it was Louisville. I gave him the credit for getting me back on my feet as well. I just want to give Nas the credit for that.”
Black and Little were both a part of North Carolina’s 2018 class that also featured Coby White. That class ranked No. 13 in the country but No. 2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Both Little and White left for the NBA while Black stayed to work on his game. Over the past three years, Black has really improved and developed into UNC’s best defender. And now he has the chance to put his stamp on the national title game as well.
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