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The 2011-12 North Carolina Tar Heels return to the court after halftime. photo by HangingCurve –

10 Famous Basketball Players who played for UNC

Basketball at the collegiate level generates talented players with pro potential. New stars appear every year as they showcase their skills on the court and leave a lasting impression on both coaches and fans. These basketball players rank among the best in terms of talent and entertainment value. They stand out from the competitors thanks to a special blend of athleticism, talent, and competitiveness. They are able to create spectacular plays, enthrall crowds, and inspire their teams to victory.

Some of the best collegiate basketball players are noteworthy for their ability to score, while others excel as rebounders, playmakers, or defenders. The game is more entertaining and dynamic because they have varied backgrounds and skill sets to bring to the court. These players’ capabilities of making game-changing plays that leave spectators in amazement, whether it be a pivotal three-pointer, a strong slam, or a game-saving steal hold them to the highest point in the game.
Their court intelligence is unmatched and they keep improving with time until they get the opportunity to showcase their prowess on a bigger stage.

Many excellent basketball players who have made a significant effect on the game have come from the University of North Carolina famously abbreviated as UNC. Here are ten of the most famous from the University.

1. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, Scanned from an issue of The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Duke University photo by Duke Chronicle –

Michael Jordan attended the University of North Carolina from 1981 to 1984, where he was a two-time consensus All-American and helped the team win the National Championship in 1982. In the 1984 NBA Draft, he was chosen third overall by the Chicago Bulls. Jordan established himself as one of the best basketball players of all time in the NBA, earning six NBA titles, five MVP honours, and 10 scoring crowns.

He retired in 2003 but returned to play for the Washington Wizards for two seasons. His influence on the game, theatrical style and multiple accolades have made him a global icon of the sport as well as a cultural figure outside of it.

Check out : Top 10 Remarkable facts about Michael Jordan. 

2. James Worthy

James Worthy at UNC Basketball game photo by Zeke Smith –

From 1979 through 1982, James Worthy played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he won a National Championship and was voted the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 1982. In the 1982 NBA Draft, he was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. Worthy was a seven-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, triumphing in 1985, 1987, and 1988.

His flexibility, agility, and decisive play, especially during the playoffs was noteworthy. Worthy was a 2003 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame. His contribution to the Lakers ensured they retired his No. 42 jersey. He is widely recognized as one of the game’s finest small forwards and a major member of the Lakers’ “Showtime” period in the 80s.

3. Vince Carter

Vince Carter photo by Frenchieinportland –

Vince Carter attended the University of North Carolina from 1995 to 1998, where he was a consensus All-American. The Golden State Warriors selected him fifth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, but he was subsequently dealt to the Toronto Raptors. Vince established himself in the NBA to be one of the most exciting and dynamic players, recognized for his highlight-reel dunks and scoring abilities.

He was an eight-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and Slam Dunk Contest winner in 2000 just to mention a few. Carter had his career with the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks. He retired from the NBA in 2020 and is regarded as one of the best NBA dunkers ever.

4. Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison with the Washington Wizards, April 2007. photo by Keith Allison –

Antawn Jamison attended the University of North Carolina from 1995 to 1998, when he won the Naismith and Wooden Awards as the most outstanding men’s collegiate basketball player in 1997-98. The Toronto Raptors selected him fourth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, but he was quickly traded to the Golden State Warriors. Jamison was a two-time All-Star in the NBA and a dynamic forward recognized for his scoring and rebounding abilities.

Throughout his career, he’s played for the Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Cavaliers, and the Lakers. Averaging 19.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and with a reputation as one of the most effective and reliable power forwards of his era, Jamison retired in 2014.

5. Danny Green

Danny Green playing for Toronto Raptors in 2019 Scotiabank Arena v Charlotte Hornets photo by Chensiyuan –

From 2005 through 2009, Danny Green participated in collegiate basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he won a National Championship in 2009. His early career was largely spent playing in the NBA Development League and overseas after the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him 46th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.

In the NBA, Green moulded a name for himself as a versatile and dependable 3-and-D player who was also well-known for his accurate shooting and strong perimeter play. The Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Lakers are just a few of the teams he has represented throughout his career. Green has captured three NBA titles, including one in 2014 with the Spurs, one in 2019 with the Raptors and one with the lakers in 2020. 

6. Sam Perkins

Sam Perkins, Scanned from an issue of The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Duke University photo by The Chronicle –

Sam Perkins is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He was an exquisite player for the Tar Heels while attending the University of North Carolina. Perkins was a critical member of the 1982 NCAA Championship squad and was named to that year’s All-Final Four team. He was also a two-time consensus All-American, and the Dallas Mavericks picked him fourth overall in the 1984 NBA draft. Perkins went on to morph into a formidable player tremendous being at the top of his game during his 17-year NBA career.

7. Jerry Stackhouse

Jerry Stackhouse in 2008 with the w:Dallas Mavericks photo by bmendez68 –

Jerry Stackhouse was a University of North Carolina basketball player. From 1991 through 1995, he was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Stackhouse was a highly-rated recruit out of high school who lived up to the hype in college. In his first season, he was voted ACC Rookie of the Year and was a two-time All-ACC pick. In 1995, he was awarded a unanimous second-team All-American before declaring for the NBA draft and being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the third overall pick. He played for eight different teams in the NBA before hanging his boots in 2013.

Also read about: 60 best college basketball players of all time. 

8. Wayne Ellington

Wayne Ellington, formerly of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball photo by Des Runyan –

Wayne Ellington is an American professional basketball player who last played for the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers. He was a significant player for the UNC Tar Heels during his college career at the University of North Carolina.

Ellington was reputable for his accuracy and was voted the ACC Tournament MVP in 2009. That year, he was also named first-team All-ACC before declaring for the NBA draft, when he was drafted 28th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ellington has played for multiple NBA clubs and has distinguished himself as among the league’s elite three-point shooters.

9. Tyler Hansbrough

Hansbrough addresses fans after the game on Senior Day photo by Des Runyan –

Tyler Hansbrough is a professional basketball player from the United States. He was a standout player for the Tar Heels throughout his college career at the University of North Carolina. Hansbrough was voted National College Player of the Year in 2008 after being named All-ACC four times. That year, he was also a unanimous first-team All-American.

He concluded his college career as North Carolina’s all-time leading scorer and is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. Hansbrough was chosen by the Indiana Pacers as the 13th overall in the 2009 NBA draft and spent 7 years competing for different franchises in the NBA comprising Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and the Charlotte Hornets before he joined NBA G League’s squad Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2017. He is now a player of the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.

10. Harrison Barnes

University of North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes photo by James R. Evans –

Harrison Barnes is an NBA basketball player who currently plays for the Sacramento Kings. From 2010 to 2012, Harrison Barnes was a player on the University of North Carolina basketball team. Barnes was widely regarded as one of the country’s top prospects during his college career, noted for his athleticism, shooting skill, and versatility.

He was chosen ACC Rookie of the Year in 2011 given his critical role as a member of the Tar Heels’ Elite Eight NCAA Tournament team that year. After playing two seasons of collegiate basketball for the Tar Heels of the University of North Carolina, he was picked as the seventh overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Barnes is reputed for his versatility, quickness, and ability to score and shoot from the outside. Barnes has established himself as a dependable scorer and a competent defender throughout his career, making him a key player to any club.

Read more: 10 Famous players who played for Duke.