Tar Heel Firsts: The first UNC alumnus to win an NBA championship Posted May 10, 2020 Billy Cunningham became the first Tar Heel to win an NBA title in 1967. The future Hall-of-Famer made four all-star teams before jumping to the ABA for two seasons. After his playing career, he became a broadcaster before being named 76ers coach in 1977. There he also became the first Tar Heel to coach an NBA champion, leading Philly to the 1983 title. (Tar Heel Blog)