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

UNC Basketball players want say in Smith Center debate
The Smith Center is aging and officials are discussing replacing it. While they were considering keeping the original building and renovating, the momentum seemed to...
Sat Dec 27, 2025

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Luka Bogavac's Importance, Bobby Petrino, Football Transfer Portal
UNC Basketball's ACC title hopes hinge on Luka Bogavac’s next step. Can he become a consistent difference-maker in ACC play? Plus, Isaac Schade discusses Seth...
Sat Dec 27, 2025

How UNC's backcourt performed during the nonconference schedule
While the frontcourt duo of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar has drawn much of the attention for UNC Basketball's hot start, the backcourt has been...
Sat Dec 27, 2025

Photos: Michael Jordan's time before, during and after UNC basketball
Nov 1, 1980; Wilmington; Michael Jordan with his parents on Nov. 1, 1980, the day he announced his decision to play basketball at the University...
Sat Dec 27, 2025