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

Where Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar Land In CBS Sports Mock NBA Draft
Caleb Wilson: Chicago Bulls, Round 1 - Pick 4. There is a non-zero chance that Wilson ultimately becomes the best player in this stacked class,...
Thu Jun 18, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball Announces Signing of Cade Bennerman
Cade Bennerman, a 7-0, red-shirt freshman center from Nashville, Tenn., is joining the North Carolina men's basketball program this season. Bennerman red-shirted last season at...
Thu Jun 18, 2026

Video: TarHeel247 Podcast - European Scout Discusses UNC Basketball's International Recruits
International basketball scout Ersin Demir joins former UNC and NBA forward John Henson from the Netherlands to discuss what he's seen from the Tar Heels’...
Thu Jun 18, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball To Face Indiana In Exhibition; Diamond Heels vs. WVU
UNC Basketball will travel to Indianapolis to play the Indiana Hoosiers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It's an interesting trend where the Tar Heels have played all...
Wed Jun 17, 2026