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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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2. Tyler Hansbrough

Feb 6, 2008, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) shoots as Duke Blue Devils forwards Kyle Singler (12) and Gerald Henderson (15) and guard DeMarcus Nelson (21) defend in the Blue Devils 89-78 victory against the Tar Heels at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2008, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) shoots as Duke Blue Devils forwards Kyle Singler (12) and Gerald Henderson (15) and guard DeMarcus Nelson (21) defend in the Blue Devils 89-78 victory against the Tar Heels at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Hansbrough has one of the most decorated careers in UNC history. 

He kicked it off in impressive fashion with a freshman year in which he averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds on 57% shooting from the field.

He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year as well as being named All-ACC, a Consensus All-American and USBWA Freshman of the Year. He was the first player in ACC history to be a First-Team All-American as a freshman. 

Hansbrough would wind up with over 30 awards when it was all said and done, including winning several National Player of the Year awards as well as being named a four-time Consensus All-American.

He not only averaged the most points for any freshman in UNC history, but also became the first player in program history to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, steals and field goal percentage.

He went on to set the program’s all-time scoring record and helped UNC win the 2009 National Championship, scoring 18 points in the final two games. 

Tyler Hansbrough breakdown:

Seasons: 4

Career Stats: 20.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 53.6 FG%, 79.1 FT%

Best Awards: 2005-09 Consensus All-American, 2005-06 ACC Rookie of the Year, 2007-08 ACC Player of the Year, 2007-08 Consensus National Player of the Year, 2007-08 Wooden Award, Naismith Award and Rupp Trophy

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