Dean Smith, beyond the Medal of Freedom

Posted Sep 12, 2013
Dean Smith recruited UNC's first black scholarship athlete, a basketball player named Charles Scott, who said years later that one thing he liked about Smith was that he always showed him respect by calling him “Charles” instead of Charlie. And so Dean Smith, coach of coaches, is deserving of the latest high honor not just for wins and losses, but for being a man of conviction and humanity, who didn’t just talk about freedom but fought for it. (Raleigh News & Observer)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

College basketball coaches on the top 2026 NBA draft picks
On Caleb Wilson: "In the open court, he was down the court in three dribbles. It felt like a college version of Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Is...
Thu Jun 25, 2026

Atlanta Hawks ‘shocked’ to get Henri Veesaar, who is introduced with Hubert Davis on hand
Henri Veesaar’s first day as an Atlanta Hawk came with a familiar face watching from the back of the room. Former UNC coach Hubert Davis...
Thu Jun 25, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Alexandros Samodurov Arrives, Henri Veesaar's Draft Decision
UNC Basketball secures a major boost as prized international big man Alexandros Samodurov arrives in Chapel Hill. The conversation then pivots to Henri Veesaar’s NBA...
Thu Jun 25, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball To Play Illinois At 2027 Nashville Hoops Showdown
UNC and Illinois will square off in the 2027 Nashville Hoops Showdown on Jan. 30, pitting two programs that expect to compete for their respective...
Thu Jun 25, 2026