Menu

Willie Cooper honored by UNC as its first African-American player


55 years ago, Willie Cooper became the first African-American basketball player at North Carolina. In a decision that caused him anguish at times over the years, Cooper decided to stop playing basketball and focus on academics, thereby relinquishing the chance to become UNC's first varsity black basketball player. Instead that distinction went to . (Wake Weekly)

Related: , Basketball Recruiting

Video: TarHeel247 Podcast - The Early Vibe on the Basketball Tar Heels
As UNC nears completion in building its 2026-27 basketball roster, a growing vibe has surfaced about some aspects of Michael Malone's first Tar Heels squad...

Video: UNC Basketball To Host Butler, Diamond Heels In Omaha
UNC Basketball's home-and-home series with Butler finally has a date for its 2026 matchup in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels and Bulldogs will square off...

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Breakout Season For Jarin Stevenson? UNC Baseball's CWS Experience
Jarin Stevenson is the key returning player for UNC Basketball next season. If he takes a step forward, it will put the Tar Heels in...

The First 60 Days Part III: How Michael Malone Is Recruiting UNC Basketball's Future
UNC's recruitment of Kevin Thomas offered a glimpse into how Michael Malone has navigated his first months in college basketball, leaning on relationships connected to...