5 Best UNC Basketball Alumni in the NBA in 2024
As usual, a few Tar Heels are playing at a very high level in the NBA this season. Here are the top performers.
By Cem Yolbulan
As always North Carolina is one of the most heavily represented schools in the NBA. Historically, UNC has developed All-Stars, All-NBA players, NBA champions, and even MVPs. Currently there are no Tar Heels in the league who have gone to those heights, but there are still plenty of UNC alumni playing at very high levels.
Here are the five best former Tar Heels in the NBA.
5- Cole Anthony
Anthony arrived in North Carolina in 2019 as one of the best high school players in the country. He started his collegiate career with an impressive 34 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists debut. However, a knee injury impacted the rest of his freshman season as North Carolina stumbled to an awful 14-19 record. Anthony was a bright light as he averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
He left after his freshman year and was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 15th overall pick. He continued where he left off in his NBA career as a quick, dynamic scorer. He signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Magic at the beginning of the 2023-24 season. He remains as one of the best bench scorers in the league with an ability to take it to the rim, shoot off the dribble, and beat his defender one-on-one. He is currently averaging 11.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game in 22.9 minutes of action.