Mike Krzyzewski appreciated Dean Smith's influence on his career

Posted Dec 19, 2010
Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith's long-time rival, was in Philadelphia with Duke for an NCAA tournament regional and sent for Dave Hanners. "He wanted to tell me how much he appreciated the tradition and everything Coach Smith created (because) it made him better," said Hanners, now a Charlotte Bobcats assistant. "It was almost like he was saying (Smith) was my role model." (Charlotte Observer)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Will Sayon Keita Start for UNC Basketball? UNC vs. ND Football Preview
A Tar Heel starting 5 shake up as Isaac Schade predicts that freshman Sayon Keita earns the center spot, leaving fans to question how this...
Tue Sep 29, 2026

Audio: 100 Years of Kenan Stadium - Commencement VIPs
You never know who you’ll see at Kenan Stadium. For Chapelboro’s own Kenny Dike, his commencement in the spring of 2001 featured a few special...
Tue Sep 29, 2026

How Neoklis Avdalas Sees Himself Fitting Into UNC's Backcourt
When Neoklis Avdalas arrived at Virginia Tech, he could walk around campus largely unnoticed. That changed once basketball season arrived. There was little anonymity left...
Tue Sep 29, 2026

UNC men's basketball guards figuring out their roles together
Buffalo transfer guard Angelo Brizzi didn’t know what he was looking for in a team, but in joining UNC, he joins an interesting situation. He’s...
Tue Sep 29, 2026