Friday night’s action at the Dean Smith Center saw the UNC men’s basketball team face off against NC Central University in a game filled with courageous and tough plays. However, the true display of courage was unfolding behind the NC Central bench.
The Eagles welcomed Onyx Williams to their team as an honorary assistant coach for the matchup. NCCU head coach LaVelle Moton extended the invitation after hearing about the Durham four-year-old’s ongoing battle with an aggressive, cancerous brain tumor. Onyx’s story had recently been shared by local news stations, capturing Moton’s attention and prompting him to invite Onyx and his family to join the Eagles on their trip to Chapel Hill.
Before tip-off, Williams stood alongside Moton and UNC head coach Hubert Davis at center court for the national anthem. Davis presented Onyx with a personalized, signed UNC jersey and a basketball autographed by the Tar Heel team, honoring his bravery.
During the game, Onyx sat behind the Eagles’ bench as a symbol of inspiration. The NC Central players and coaches wore shirts emblazoned with the message, “All In With Onyx,” showing their support for the young fighter.
Following the game, Onyx joined Coach Moton at the podium for the post-game press conference. The moment highlighted the community’s solidarity and encouragement for Onyx and his family.
UNC men’s basketball later shared a GoFundMe campaign created by Onyx’s father last December, following the diagnosis of high-grade glioma. As of Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised over $10,000, with new donations continuing to come in.
On the court, UNC secured a decisive 97-53 victory over NCCU. This marked the first meeting between the two programs since 2020.
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https://chapelboro.com/news/health/unc-mens-basketball-nc-central-welcome-and-honor-brain-cancer-patient-during-game
