The Carolina family is getting another reason to celebrate, and this time, the connection stretches beyond Chapel Hill.
Two former University of North Carolina basketball standouts are preparing to work together in a new chapter of their coaching careers. Monmouth men’s basketball head coach King Rice has added former Tar Heel Shammond Williams to his coaching staff, bringing together two basketball figures whose UNC connections have helped shape their paths in the sport.
Although Rice and Williams never played alongside one another at North Carolina, their shared connection to the Tar Heels has kept them linked through basketball over the years. Now, that relationship is taking on a new dimension as they prepare to work together at Monmouth.
For Tar Heel fans, the appointment is more than an ordinary coaching staff addition. It is another example of how relationships formed through North Carolina basketball can continue creating opportunities long after players leave Chapel Hill.
And with Williams bringing extensive professional playing experience and a lengthy coaching background to West Long Branch, New Jersey, there are several reasons his arrival could become an important development for Monmouth.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR TWO FORMER TAR HEELS
King Rice has spent years building his coaching career at Monmouth, and the addition of Williams gives him another experienced basketball mind to work alongside him.
Rice knows the value of bringing knowledgeable people into a program, particularly those who understand the demands of high-level basketball and the importance of developing players.
Williams arrives with a résumé that includes professional basketball experience, multiple college coaching stops and experience working with both men’s and women’s basketball programs.
That combination gives Monmouth another coach who has experienced the game from several different perspectives.
For Rice, the move also carries a personal connection.
The two former Tar Heels have spent considerable time discussing basketball over the years, according to Rice. Their relationship was already established before Williams officially joined the staff, making this more than a situation in which two former UNC players happened to end up at the same program.
Their shared background and existing communication helped create the foundation for the partnership.
Now, they have an opportunity to turn that relationship into something meaningful for Monmouth basketball.
SHAMMOND WILLIAMS BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE
Williams is not arriving at Monmouth as someone who is just beginning to learn the coaching profession.
His basketball journey includes years of professional playing experience and more than a decade of collegiate coaching.
During his playing career, Williams competed at the highest levels of the sport, including time in the NBA. His experience as a professional player gives him firsthand knowledge of the discipline, preparation and decision-making required to compete against elite opponents.
That background could be particularly valuable when working with college players who hope to improve their games and potentially pursue professional opportunities of their own.
Players can benefit from coaches who understand what it takes to move from college basketball into the professional ranks. Williams has experienced that journey himself and can draw upon those lessons when helping athletes develop.
His responsibilities at Monmouth will also involve the broader demands of college basketball, including player development, recruiting and helping the program pursue its competitive goals.
The challenge now is to translate his experience into tangible contributions on the sidelines.
HIS COACHING JOURNEY HAS TAKEN HIM ACROSS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Williams has worked at several programs throughout his coaching career, gaining experience in different basketball environments.
His previous stops include Furman, Tulane, Western Kentucky and Old Dominion.
At Furman, he began building his collegiate coaching résumé before moving to Tulane, where he spent three seasons from 2013 through 2016.
He subsequently joined Western Kentucky for the 2016-17 season, continuing to develop his experience in recruiting and player development.
His time at Old Dominion provided another opportunity to work within a college basketball program, although in a different setting. Williams spent three years with the university’s women’s basketball team, helping the program achieve three consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories.
That experience is particularly notable because coaching across men’s and women’s basketball can require adjustments in communication, preparation and team management.
Williams’ ability to work in both environments adds another dimension to his professional background.
Most recently, he served as an assistant coach and interim head coach at the University of Denver during the 2024-25 season.
That assignment gave him additional exposure to the responsibilities associated with leading a program, including the demands of managing a team during a transition.
Now, Monmouth represents the next opportunity for Williams to apply those experiences.
HIS RECRUITING EXPERIENCE COULD BE IMPORTANT
Recruiting is one of the most important parts of building a successful college basketball program.
Coaches must identify talent, establish relationships with prospects, evaluate how players might fit into their systems and persuade recruits that their programs can help them develop.
Williams has previously received recognition for his recruiting work.
In 2017, he was named one of the top three recruiters in Conference USA by Sporting News. He was also recognized by Silver Waves Media in 2022 as one of the most influential assistant coaches in mid-major basketball.
Those distinctions reflect the reputation he developed during his time in the coaching profession.
For Monmouth, recruiting experience could be particularly useful as the program works to attract players capable of competing in an increasingly competitive college basketball landscape.
Williams’ professional background and connections throughout basketball could also help him communicate with prospects and their families about development opportunities.
Of course, recruiting success depends on numerous factors, and Williams’ arrival does not automatically guarantee better results.
However, adding an experienced coach with a track record in recruiting gives Rice another resource as he continues building the program.
KING RICE EXPLAINS WHY THE HIRE MAKES SENSE
Rice has expressed enthusiasm about bringing Williams to Monmouth.
He highlighted Williams’ professional playing career, including his time in the NBA, as well as the experience he has accumulated since transitioning into coaching.
Rice believes that combination can benefit the program.
Williams’ understanding of the game as a former professional player gives him a perspective that can complement his work as a coach. He has experienced the challenges players face when competing at an elite level and understands the importance of preparation and execution.
But Rice also emphasized something beyond Williams’ résumé: their relationship through North Carolina basketball.
The Monmouth coach explained that Williams is another member of the UNC family and that the two have spent countless hours discussing basketball over the years.
Rice also noted that Williams had previously helped Monmouth with the recruitment of Justin Ray.
That connection meant Williams already had some familiarity with the program and its expectations before officially joining the coaching staff.
It also helps explain why this particular appointment makes sense.
The decision was built upon an existing relationship, shared basketball knowledge and a mutual understanding of the program.
THE TAR HEEL CONNECTION RUNS DEEP
North Carolina basketball has a long history of producing players who remain connected to the sport after their college careers end.
Some become professional players. Others move into coaching, broadcasting, administration or other basketball-related roles.
The relationship between Rice and Williams is another example of those connections continuing to matter.
Their playing careers at UNC did not overlap, but the university remains a common thread in their professional lives.
That shared background can provide a foundation for communication and trust, especially when two people are preparing to work together toward a common goal.
It also highlights how college basketball relationships can extend far beyond the years players spend on campus.
Former teammates, coaches and alumni can remain connected through conversations, recruiting relationships and professional opportunities.
For Tar Heel supporters, seeing two former UNC players working together at another program offers another reason to follow their careers.
And for Monmouth, the connection comes with the practical benefit of adding a coach who brings extensive experience to the staff.
WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR MONMOUTH
Williams’ arrival gives Rice another experienced assistant as Monmouth continues preparing for the challenges ahead.
His background in professional basketball could help with player development, while his collegiate coaching experience gives him familiarity with recruiting, practice preparation and the day-to-day demands of a college program.
His previous work with different teams also means he has seen different coaching approaches and program structures.
That experience could help him contribute ideas and perspectives as Monmouth works to strengthen its basketball operations.
Still, the real measure of the appointment will come through the work ahead.
The coaching staff must develop players, establish effective systems and build the consistency needed to compete.
Williams will have to learn the specific responsibilities of his new position and work with Rice to determine how best to contribute.
The opportunity is there, but the results will depend on how the partnership develops.
## ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE CAROLINA FAMILY STORY
For Rice, hiring Williams represents an opportunity to bring an experienced coach into his program while strengthening a relationship rooted in their shared North Carolina background.
For Williams, Monmouth offers a new environment in which to continue building his coaching career.
And for UNC fans, the appointment provides another reminder that the Tar Heel basketball family extends well beyond Chapel Hill.
The two former Tar Heels may never have shared the court at North Carolina, but their paths have now converged in a new way.
Their connection, established through years of basketball conversations and a shared university background, has helped bring them together at Monmouth.
Whether their partnership produces immediate results remains to be seen, but the combination of Williams’ experience and Rice’s familiarity with him gives the appointment a compelling backstory.
One thing is certain: two former Tar Heels are now preparing to work together on the sidelines, and their reunion adds another interesting chapter to the far-reaching story of North Carolina basketball.
