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

Video: Terrence Brown, Matt Able UNC Basketball Pre-Season Press Conferences
North Carolina guards Terrence Brown and Matt Able speak with the media on Friday ahead of the Tar Heels 2026-27 basketball season as the team...
Fri Oct 2, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Michael Malone On The Basketball Recruiting Trail, UNC vs. ND Preview
Can Michael Malone land top-tier college basketball recruits, or will another blue-chip talent slip away, as Jordan Page appears to have done? On the gridiron,...
Fri Oct 2, 2026

Angelo Brizzi Bringing Veteran Presence to Tar Heels Backcourt
Only one player on the North Carolina basketball roster has started more college basketball games than Angelo Brizzi. Despite not playing in the 2021-22 season...
Fri Oct 2, 2026

Inside UNC Basketball’s New-Look Frontcourt
UNC's frontcourt looks a lot different entering Michael Malone’s first season in Chapel Hill. Four players stand 6-10 or taller, giving Malone a range of...
Fri Oct 2, 2026