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

Caleb Wilson Emerging as Vocal Leader for UNC Basketball
In an effort to grow as a leader, UNC freshman forward Caleb Wilson used Wednesday's beatdown of Notre Dame as an opportunity to address issues...
Thu Jan 22, 2026

Tar Heels reclaim defensive identity after thumping Notre Dame
For four games, UNC's defense had slipped from its identity to anxiety-inducing, a talking point that lingered through three losses. But, on Wednesday, the No...
Thu Jan 22, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - The Death of the NCAA
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss the latest mess the NCAA has created with the ruling that Charles Bediako is now eligible...
Thu Jan 22, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball Game At Virginia Moved To Noon Saturday
Due to the forecast of a winter storm hitting the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend, the University of North Carolina's men's basketball game at Virginia on...
Thu Jan 22, 2026