CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina back-up guard Bobby Frasor, who was averaging 3.0 points, 2.2 assists and 16.8 minutes per game, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the second half against Nevada Thursday night and will not return this season.
The junior is expected to have surgery in a week, and should be ready to return next season. But he has played too many games this year to take a medical redshirt, coach Roy Williams said.
“His leadership we’re going to miss, his defensive play we’re going to miss, his sense of humor,’’ Williams said.
“…He can handle this. It’s not going to be easy; it’s not easy for any of us right now. I told the team is should put things in perspective, that every day you don’t take things for granted.”
Frasor had played both guard positions this season, starting once at point when Ty Lawson was sidelined by an ankle injury.
Asked what this would mean for the rotation, Williams said: “I don’t have any freakin’ idea. I care about that little runt in the training room right now. Somebody’s got to step forward, I haven’t put any thought to it. We’ll see.”
Senior Quentin Thomas will almost certainly get more minutes at back-up point guard. Options at back-up shooting guard include increasing starter Wayne Ellington’s minutes or giving junior Marcus Ginyard — the starting small forward — more time at the ‘2’ position. Such changes could also open an opportunity for redshirt freshman Will Graves.
