Chansky’s Notebook: Only the Good Die Young

Posted May 19, 2022
Ademola Okulaja is remembered most as a great teammate. Tragically, another former UNC basketball player has died unexpectedly. The 6-9 Okulaja, who started for four seasons during the Dean Smith-Bill Guthridge eras, passed away at age 46 from a recurring cancer. He knew he wasn’t the most talented player on the court, but no one outworked him. (Chapelboro.com)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Tar Heel Guard Jaydon Young Returning for Senior Season
North Carolina guard Jaydon Young will remain with the Tar Heels in 2026-27. He was previously expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Young arrived...
Fri Apr 10, 2026

RJ Davis Named to 2025-26 All NBA G League Rookie Team
South Bay Lakers guard and former UNC All-American R.J. Davis has been named to the 2025-26 All-NBA G League Rookie Team. He is the ninth...
Fri Apr 10, 2026

Michael Malone's Father, Brendan Malone, On His Son's Coaching Journey
"Michael Malone took the (Secret Service) exams and passed. But before this, he’d written letters to a lot of head coaches for jobs, and the...
Fri Apr 10, 2026

Art’s Angle: Extended Family
Long before his daughter Bridget joined the Tar Heels volleyball team – and was the reason he spent so much time watching her practice the...
Fri Apr 10, 2026