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

Dean Smith's Reflections on the Smith Center
As the Smith Center turns 40, we recalled when Dean Smith sat down with Inside Carolina two decades ago (at age 74, on the building’s...
Fri Jan 16, 2026

Tyler Hansbrough on UNC's struggles
On the Field of 68 After Dark show, Tyler Hansbrough, a guy whose jersey number hangs in the Dean E. Smith Center rafters as one...
Fri Jan 16, 2026

Drake Powell cracks starting lineup for Brooklyn Nets
One significant alteration this week was the insertion of rookie Drake Powell into the Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup the past two games. Powell, the third...
Fri Jan 16, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - Carolina, California and the Basketball Metrics
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss UNC Basketball's second leg of the west coast swing as the Tar Heels face California on...
Fri Jan 16, 2026