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

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Aims To Fix Problems vs. Wofford
UNC Basketball is 1-0 in the Michael Malone era, but the Tar Heels have some serious areas to improve upon entering Friday's matchup with Wofford...
Fri Nov 6, 2026

UNC Basketball vs. Wofford: TV info, stats, scouting report, and notes
Wofford finished 19–13 (11–7 Southern Conference) in Coach Kevin Giltner’s first season and lost 75–72 to UNC Greensboro in the SoCon tournament quarterfinals. The Terriers...
Fri Nov 6, 2026

Jarin Stevenson's Needed Mind Shift
Jarin Stevenson plays on the wing and that’s his projection at the next level if he gets there. But this season, it’s a mind shift...
Fri Nov 6, 2026

Brown drives, Avdalas orchestrates, Brizzi steadies: How UNC utilizes point guards
Michael Malone has said UNC will lean on multiple ball handlers this season, and data from three exhibitions and Monday’s season opener show how his...
Fri Nov 6, 2026