Timetable for Dawson Garcia’s return to UNC basketball is unknown, Hubert Davis says

North Carolina men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis said sophomore forward Dawson Garcia will miss Saturday’s game against N.C. State and his timetable to return is unknown.

“He’s unavailable because of family illnesses and I’m just very thankful that he has this time to be able to spend with his family,” Davis said.

Garcia returned home to Prior Lake, Minnesota, earlier this week and missed Monday’s win over Virginia Tech as well as Wednesday’s win over Boston College.

“I’ve been in contact with with Dawson and his parents every day since he’s left,” Davis said. “Whether it’s been talking on the phone or through text message and just being supportive and letting them know that we’re thinking about them; we’re praying for him and his family; and that we miss him.”

Garcia started 12 of the 16 games he’s played in this season and averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. He missed the loss at Notre Dame and a win over Virginia while sitting out due to a concussion he suffered in the opening minutes at Boston College on Jan. 2.

Garcia’s absence has left the Heels thin in the frontcourt, where Armando Bacot and Brady Manek have logged at least 34 minutes apiece in consecutive games this week. Fatigue could become a factor as Carolina (14-6, 6-3 ACC) is playing its fourth game in eight days when it faces the Wolfpack. The Heels’ stretch will conclude with five games in 11 days when it travels to Louisville on Tuesday.