UNC Basketball: Kenny Williams is fully cleared

UNC junior Kenny Williams returned to practice for the Tar Heels on Monday afternoon.

The North Carolina Tar Heels returned to practice on Monday for the first time in the 2017-18 season. That means basketball is officially back.

UNC will practice ahead of their scheduled Late Night With Roy event on Oct. 13 as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The defending champs have a few storylines entering the season including coping with the losses of Justin Jackson and most of their front court production from Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks.

On Monday, they got some good news regarding a junior.

Kenny Williams has been fully cleared for all basketball activities according to a UNC spokesman, a good sign for the Tar Heels.

UNC's Kenny Williams (knee) has been fully cleared for all basketball activities, but will have his reps monitored, per a school spokesman.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 2, 2017

It was reported back in July that Williams had surgery on his knee after injuring it at the Smith Center.

That was the second major knee surgery for Williams since February. But now he’s back and able to participate in the Tar Heels first practice of the season.

Williams started 22 games as a sophomore for the Tar Heels in 2016-17 before tearing the meniscus on Feb. 21.

He averaged 6.2 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Tar Heels last season and is considered one of their best perimeter guards. Having him healthy for 2017-18 is a big key if the Tar Heels want to repeat as champions.

Williams was named UNC’s defensive player of the game five times in his 22 starts last season.

Check back for more on UNC basketball as they open up practice at the Smith Center today.