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: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball Lands Beckham Black Visit, Watches Recruits at Peach Jam
Top-ranked 2027 basketball recruit Beckham Black has scheduled a visit to UNC. Can coach Michael Malone land a program-changing commitment right out of the gate?...
Fri Jul 17, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: The Cost of Business
UNC has released its salary structure for the 2026-27 men’s basketball season, and now it has to be a game of wait and see. Michael...
Fri Jul 17, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - What 5-in-5 Means for UNC Basketball
The NCAA’s new "5-in-5" eligibility model could fundamentally change how college basketball programs recruit, develop players, and construct their rosters. What does the opportunity to...
Fri Jul 17, 2026

Caleb Wilson dazzling again, but won’t play in Chicago Bulls’ final Summer League game
High draft picks are typically done after two NBA Summer League games, but Caleb Wilson isn’t like most high draft picks. He wanted to keep...
Fri Jul 17, 2026