The Freshmen

Posted Apr 7, 2007

North Carolina's Mike O'Koren works in the NBA as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. Charlotte's Chad Kinch's life ended early when he died from AIDS in 1994 at age 35. In 1977, O'Koren and Kinch were two Jersey kids, precocious freshmen who had huge impacts on their teams' drive to the Final Four. (Charlotte Observer)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

Video: TarHeel247 Podcast - John Henson and Justin Watts on UNC Coaching Search
Former UNC and longtime NBA forward John Henson joins former Tar Heel teammate and roommate Justin Watts to discuss how former players feel about UNC...
Mon Mar 30, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: Tricky Timetable
Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Michigan’s Dusty May will be coaching in the Final Four on Saturday, and one of them will be coaching next Monday,...
Mon Mar 30, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - UNC's Big Decisions Require Patience
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss patience in the basketball coaching search process as UNC's key targets have advanced to the Final...
Mon Mar 30, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Jesse Holley on UNC Basketball Coaching Search
Former Tar Heel two-sport star Jesse Holley prefers Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan as UNC Basketball's next head coach. Holley and Isaac Schade discuss Donovan,...
Mon Mar 30, 2026