How a promise to Dean Smith brought former basketball player Vasco Evtimov back to UNC

Posted Feb 18, 2019
In the summer of 1999, Vasco Evtimov had just forfeited his last two years of college eligibility to sign with a Greek professional team over returning to UNC. Before the 6-foot-10 Evtimov left Chapel Hill, though, he spoke with Dean Smith, who recruited Evtimov and coached him as a freshman. “I promised Coach Smith...I would come back and get my degree. And here I am." (Daily Tar Heel)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Roy Williams tells Carolina pitchers what to throw
As UNC's pitching staff powered the program to its 13th College World Series appearance, they were guided by a Hall of Fame voice. Former basketball...
Tue Jun 16, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Top 10 UNC Men's Basketball Players Of The Last Decade
Who makes the list of the Top-10 UNC men's basketball players of the last decade? Isaac Schade shares his list of the Tar Heels he...
Tue Jun 16, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - Michael Malone Pursuing 5-stars, UNC Basketball Recruiting Reset
Now that the transfer portal movement has subsided, Michael Malone and his UNC staff have begun the process of sorting out their high-school recruiting board...
Tue Jun 16, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - UNC Basketball's New-Look Frontcourt
As the dust settles around Coach Michael Malone's first basketball roster at UNC, there are plenty of things to be excited about regarding the Tar...
Mon Jun 15, 2026