Five Best Centers in UNC Basketball History

Mar 23, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) walks off the court after losing to the Iowa State Cyclones in a men

3) Sam Perkins #41 (1980-1984)

When you think of the 1982 national championship team, who do you think of? You probably think of Michael Jordan, the man who may have hit the greatest shot in UNC basketball history.  Or you may think of James Worthy, the man who went on to a Hall of Fame professional career following his illustrious and successful career at North Carolina.

While those two players were certainly iconic and identifiable with the Tar Heels, it was actually starting center Sam Perkins who led the team in scoring and rebounding. But just like what occasionally happens to centers, Perkins did not receive the same attention for his play as some of his other teammates did.  But in the end, the numbers he put up spoke for themselves.

Perkins finished his career as North Carolina’s all-time leading rebounder (1,167) and second-leading scorer (2,145). Perkins averaged 15.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in his four years at North Carolina.  He was a two-time consensus first team All-American, and was the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP in 1981.

Perkins was an all-around terrific basketball player. He had a consistent mid-range jumper when the Heels needed it, and could stretch his way right up to the rim whenever he got the ball low enough on the block.

With his scoring ability, and the impact he had each of his four seasons as a Tar Heels, Perkins is certainly one of the greatest centers in UNC history.