Born & Bred: Tar Heel Nickname Origins

Posted Jun 6, 2023
A New York sportswriter had seen Kenny Smith play a high school game and wrote that he raced up the court "like a jet." Walter Davis said that "my teammates at North Carolina started Sweet D." Tyler Hansbrough explained that "to get through a workout and motivate myself, I was screaming at myself. That’s when Jonas started calling me 'Psycho T.'" (Rams Club)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Danny Green on the perks of playing for North Carolina: “We were definitely idolized”
Before he established a solid career in the NBA, Danny Green had a great run in college at UNC. He looks back on it with...
Sat Jul 4, 2026

RJ Davis scores 15 in NBA Summer League opener
R.J. Davis was the first Tar Heel to play in this year’s NBA Summer League and nearly won the game with a late shot. Davis’...
Sat Jul 4, 2026

RJ Davis gets chance with Spurs, one of seven Tar Heels playing in NBA Summer League
There will be plenty of former Tar Heel basketball players to watch during the NBA Summer League, from lottery pick Caleb Wilson, to players coming...
Fri Jul 3, 2026

When And How To Watch Tar Heels In NBA Summer League
Several UNC Basketball alumni will participate in NBA Summer League starting this weekend. Scheduled to be in action include R.J. Davis (San Antonio), Pete Nance...
Fri Jul 3, 2026