From Cunningham to Carter, an incredible streak ends but not the life lessons from Dean Smith

Posted Jul 11, 2020
When Vince Carter retired from the NBA last month after 22 years with eight teams, the world’s premier basketball league was left with no players coached by Dean Smith. Hard to imagine. From Oct. 16, 1965, until March 11 of 2020, the NBA had always had at least one, and usually many, of his players. That 55-year span began with Billy Cunningham. (Bladen Journal)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

Michael Malone Living a New Life at UNC: This Isn’t the NBA Anymore
Four months into his tenure as UNC Men's Basketball coach, Michael Malone has embraced what it means to be at the helm of a prestigious...
Tue Sep 1, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - What Ifs for UNC Basketball
UNC Basketball is preparing for the start of preseason practice in about a month. A number of questions surround the program as the players begin...
Mon Aug 31, 2026

How Michael Malone is Bringing UNC's New-Look Basketball Team Together
More than half of the UNC Basketball roster is new to Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels return just five players from last season's team and...
Mon Aug 31, 2026

Harrison Barnes invests $25 million to buy Iowa bank and chase a new dream
The NBA landscape is changing by the day. Players aren’t just basketballers anymore; they’re businessmen. San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes is the latest example...
Sun Aug 30, 2026