CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The University of North Carolina has announced they are naming the center court floor at the Dean E. Smith Center for men's basketball coach Roy Williams.

• Williams has coached at UNC for 15 years.
• He was previously an assistant coach to Dean Smith and head coach at Kansas. 
• The court will be dedicated Aug. 24

In a statement, UNC chancellor Carol L. Folt said, "From the time I first met Coach, I have been touched by his commitment to the success of his players and his belief in their capacity to dream big and accomplish even bigger. Generations of Carolina Basketball fans have witnessed the result of his teaching and love for his players on the court, but that is only part of his story as he cares so much and helps in so many ways here at Carolina and across our state. Naming the court for Coach Williams expresses our gratitude to this very special and much-admired Tar Heel."

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham added, "Coach Williams is one of college basketball's greatest coaches ever. But I've come to see that the measure of the man is his integrity, his honesty, the manner in which he relates to and supports his players and the love he has for the University of North Carolina. He didn't want this honor, but his players and our staff wanted it for him, and that says so much about why we will forever celebrate the game of basketball at Carolina on Roy Williams Court."

Williams graduated from UNC in 1972. He was an assistant coach to Dean Smith for 10 years at Carolina, followed by a head coaching stint at Kansas for 15 years. Now, is celebrating 15 years at UNC. 

During his tenure, UNC has won NCAA championships in 2005, 2009 and 2017. UNC is 424-126 under his reign, and 210-30 in the Smith Center.

"It's very hard to believe; it's just so flattering. I have to figure out a way to thank all my current and former players, because it may be my name on the court, but it really honors all of them because they made the plays. I also want to thank my family for all the support and love they've given me over the years. I've missed many family things over the years, and they were so understanding. Naming the court will be a thrill for my family. I'll try to say the right things to the former players, to my family and to the Carolina administration, but I don't know if I will be able to adequately state how grateful I am," Williams said in part. 

"Roy Williams Court" will be dedicated on Aug. 24 during a special men's basketball reunion.