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The 10 Best UNC Basketball Players of All Time Ranked

UNC is one of the most storied programs in college basketball. These are 10 of the most impactful players to ever suit up for the Tar Heels, ranked in order of importance to the program

By Vinnie Portell

Dec 13, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; A view of the center court logo at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; A view of the center court logo at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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UNC is one of the best collegiate basketball programs in the nation, and it’s had some of the best players suit up for the program over the decades.

The Tar Heels can boast some of the greatest basketball players of all-time, including the GOAT, Michael Jordan, and other notable stars.

But which Tar Heels players are the very best to ever play for the program?

We’ve answered that for you! Just keep in mind that this list is based on each player’s time with UNC, not what they did in their career afterwards.

See if you agree with our top-10 Tar Heels of all-time, listed in descending order below:

10. Jerry Stackhouse

FILE PHOTO; North Carolina Tarheels guard Jerry Stackhouse (42) in action. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
FILE PHOTO; North Carolina Tarheels guard Jerry Stackhouse (42) in action. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports / RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Stackhouse was only at UNC for two seasons, but he made the most of them by making an immediate impact.

He averaged 12.2 points, five rebounds, two assists and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman despite coming off the bench with UNC in 1993-94. 

Stackhouse took his game to another level in his second and final season as  a Tar Heel. He led UNC on a run to the Final Four as he was named the National Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated – averaging 19.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 51.7% from the field.

Jerry Stackhouse breakdown:

Seasons: 2

Career Stats: 15.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 49.6 FG%, 72 FT%

Best Awards: 1994-5 All ACC, 1994-95 Consensus All-American, 1994-95 Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year

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