K.J. Smith never thought it would come like this or here, of all places, in the famed facility that fostered the basketball careers of Michael Jordan, James Worthy and even his father, Kenny.
But Smith always knew his time would come.
So, this summer, the redshirt junior guard took all the necessary steps to prepare himself for a larger role on this North Carolina team. Extra shots with his father and cousin? He took them. Early-morning workouts with Jonas Sahratian? He did them. His uncle's wise words inspired him along the way.
"He said, 'If you stay ready, you never have to get ready,'" Smith recalled.