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 Men's Basketball To Face USC In Greensboro Exhibition Game
Coach Michael Malone’s first UNC Basketball team will get two challenging exhibition contests before the games count. UNC is set to face USC in an...
Mon Aug 10, 2026

Neoklis Avdalas, Alexandros Samodurov To Decline Greek National Team Opportunity
UNC Basketball newcomers Neoklis Avdalas and Alexandros Samodurov will arrive in Chapel Hill this week and thus not play with the Greek National Team this...
Mon Aug 10, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - How Cameron Fens Elevates UNC Basketball's Roster
The 2026-27 UNC Basketball roster has been finalized with the addition of Cameron Fens, a proven 7-foot transfer who raises the Tar Heels' floor and...
Mon Aug 10, 2026

Newsletter: Cameron Fens Fills Out UNC Basketball Roster, Football Position Battles Heat Up
UNC Basketball's frontcourt search concludes as Cameron Fens committed Friday, and Michael Malone's roster is now full for 2026-27. Football's preseason camp hit its second...
Mon Aug 10, 2026