Five Best Centers in UNC Basketball History

Mar 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) dunks against the Providence Friars in the second half of a men

5) Sean May #42 (2002-2005)

Sean May filled the role that the Tar Heels needed him to while he played in Chapel Hill. He knew how to bully his way under the basket with his strength, and at the same time, the 6’6”, 266-pound monster was able to run up and down the court in Roy Williams’ up tempo offense.  On the break, he was even able to finish with his terrific hands and coordination.

May averaged 15.8 points and 10 rebounds per game in his career at North Carolina. In his national championship run in 2005, he was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and was also named to the first-team All-ACC and consensus second-team All-America.  The big man averaged 22.3 points and 17.3 rebounds in the 2005 NCAA tournament, and had 26 points and 10 rebounds against Illinois in the NCAA final.  He left UNC with the single-season record in 2005 with 397 rebounds.

While his jersey is honored primarily because of his ability to put the ball in the basket, North Carolina fans remember May because of his passion he played with every game. He was always fun to watch, as he kept his teammates fired up, even when a loss looked inevitable.

Felton might have been the leader of the 2005 squad, but May’s physical and mental toughness throughout his stay in North Carolina was exceptional, and therefore was what made him one of the greatest centers in North Carolina history.