The L.A. Lakers and their North Carolina connections

Posted Oct 25, 2018
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has ties to North Carolina besides his recent speaking engagement in Greensboro. His mother was born in Anson County, and he said the toughest player he ever faced was UNC great Bob McAdoo. Other Lakers had N.C. ties. James Worthy is a Gastonia native. Mitch Kupchak also played for the Tar Heels, and Magic Johnson's mom is from Tarboro. (Greensboro News & Record)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Luka Bogavac in Portal, Maximo Adams a Heel, Jonathan Powell to Pitt
Luka Bogavac initially indicated he wanted to return to UNC, but Saturday declared he'll enter the portal. Jonathan Powell becomes the first Tar Heel to...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Nuggets fans celebrate date of Malone’s bold move in 2016 to start Jokic as ‘Jokmas’
Nikola Jokic’s rise to stardom began with what seemed like a bold coaching move at the time by current UNC basketball coach Michael Malone. Jokic...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Cormac Ryan leads Milwaukee Bucks to Friday win with breakout night
Cormac Ryan, a sharpshooter during UNC's 2023-24 Sweet 16 run, exploded for a career-high 28 points in Milwaukee's 125-108 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Ryan...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Michael Malone Wasn’t Carolina, But He Wasn’t a Stranger, Either
Michael Malone sat in the stands at the Smith Center with a notebook, just another visitor watching Carolina's basketball practice. Minutes later, then-head coach Hubert...
Sun Apr 12, 2026