Heels Lose Reserve Center Desmond Hubert for Season

The North Carolina Tar Heels announced Thursday that they will be without reserve big man Desmond Hubert for the remainder of the season after the senior was diagnosed with a torn right ACL.

Although Hubert did not play many minutes, he was a key contributor on the defensive end and widely recognized as the team’s top low post defender.

“Desmond is our best defensive post player and a wonderful kid who helps us in so many ways that fans don’t see each day but our coaches and his teammates appreciate,” head coach Roy Williams said in the release. “I just hate it for the youngster that he won’t be able to play any more in his senior season.

Hubert endured the injury during one of last week’s practices and his career will almost inevitably come to a premature end. Its unlikely that the Tar Heels rotation will change very much, however, the major difference will be if any of the North Carolina big men run into foul trouble when they will miss Hubert’s services.  This is frequently the case during key NCAA Tournament games and could impact the program as they make a run at yet another National Championship.

The entire Tar Heels squad has the utmost respect for Hubert’s leadership on and off the court, and the North Carolina community wishes him the best moving forward. The Tar Heels continue to build their NCAA Tournament resume Saturday when they square off against the Pittsburgh Panthers before the team makes a trip down Tobacco Road to meet up with the long-time rival Duke Blue Devils.  Still, Hubert will be forced to watch the remainder of the season from the bench, but will undoubtedly be the team’s top cheerleader.

*Section Photo credit to Mark Dolejs, US Presswire; Featured Photo (above) credit to John David Mercer, USA Today Sports

 

Preview: (23) Ohio State @ Michigan State
Preview: (23) Ohio State @ Michigan State