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)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

UNC Men's Basketball Back At Home To Host Louisville Monday - Pregame Notes
UNC Men's Basketball begins a three-game homestand Monday, hosting Louisville at 7 p.m. Dave O'Brien, Jay Williams, and Molly McGrath have the call on ESPN...
Mon Feb 23, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: Veterans’ Day
At Syracuse, where the Tar Heels again were without injured star freshman Caleb Wilson, they won largely because their three most experienced players — junior...
Mon Feb 23, 2026

North Carolina vs. Louisville Basketball Preview: Tar Heels Host High-Scoring Cardinals Monday
Louisville is favored in this game because they are ranked No. 15 in KenPom and No. 13 in the NET Rankings. This is due, in...
Mon Feb 23, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball Falls To No. 18 In AP Poll
North Carolina slipped two spots to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll, released on Monday. UNC (21-6, 9-5 ACC) rebounded...
Mon Feb 23, 2026