UNC Basketball: 10 Greatest Basketball Players in History
By John Bauman
Feb 22, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward James Michael McAdoo (43) shoots a free throw in the first half at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
T-8. Sam Perkins
Sam Perkins could be one of the more underrated Tar Heels of all-time because he was never the star on his team. That’s not Perkins fault however as he was overshadowed by Al Wood, James Worthy and Michael Jordan who are all three of Carolina’s best players.
The 6-foot-9 Perkins had his best season in 1984 where he averaged 17.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Those numbers are comparable to all Carolina’s dominant big men. Perkins was as smooth as they come with his lanky build that gave him an advantage in the post.
Perkins has the accolades to compare to the greatest as well. Three times he was named a first-team All American and All ACC, as well as having postseason accolades to his name.
While the teams he played on had star-power, Perkins shined too and he did it when it mattered most. Perkins dropped 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the national semifinals against Houston. But that wasn’t it for Sam. In 1983, he finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds against a Virginia team that was led by Ralph Sampson. Perkins certainly belongs in the top 10 of all-time greats at Carolina as he is one of the best to ever step foot in Chapel Hill.