NORTH CAROLINA’S ROY WILLIAMS HAS SURGERY TO REMOVE TUMOR. By Robbi Pickeral
CHAPEL HILL (ESPN.com) – North Carolina coach Roy Williams had surgery Wednesday to remove a tumor from his right kidney. Williams, 62, is expected to be on the court when the Tar Heels begin practice next month after undergoing the 3½-hour operation, which took place at UNC Hospitals.
Williams may need a second surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney next month and could be sidelined for a few practices, according to a news release, but likely wouldn’t miss any games. Doctors have not determined whether the tumor removed Wednesday was cancerous, and that may impact whether Williams has to have the second surgery, a team spokesman told ESPN.com.
“The surgery went well and according to plan,” Dr. Eric Wallen, professor of urology at UNC, said in a statement. “Coach Williams did great. I fully expect him to coach this season and for years to come. He could miss some practice time if we perform another procedure sometime in October, but he would be able to resume his coaching duties prior to the start of the regular season.”
Williams is expected to be released from the hospital within the next few days. He worked until the day before the surgery; the only reason he canceled a scheduled recruiting trip Tuesday was due to inclement weather. Williams is set to begin his 10th season with the Tar Heels, whom he has coached to two national titles. He has experienced only a few medical issues — vertigo, shoulder surgery — during his tenure in Chapel Hill.
The kidney surgery came less than a month before UNC kicks off basketball practice with its annual “Late Night with Roy Williams” on Oct. 12. The Tar Heels will hold an exhibition game with Shaw on Oct. 26, and they open the season against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 9.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Williams and his family for a full recovery,” UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “Obviously his health and prognosis are my greatest concerns. He’s in great hands with the medical staff at UNC Hospitals. The basketball team is also in outstanding hands with Steve Robinson, CB McGrath, Hubert Davis and Joe Holladay.
“As Coach Williams frequently says, he has the best staff in the country and I know they will do an excellent job as Coach Williams recuperates. We will be ready for his return as soon as he is able to do so, but I have stressed to him that he returns only when he has been given the medical approval and he is ready to do that. Hopefully that will be soon and for a long, long time to come.”
Williams coached the Tar Heels to NCAA championships in 2005 and 2009 and owns a career record of 675-169 in 24 seasons at North Carolina and Kansas.