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UNC Basketball: Best Tar Heel Role Players of the Decade

By Nick Delahanty

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: TV personality Jim Nantz speaks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels and his team after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: TV personality Jim Nantz speaks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels and his team after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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GREENSBORO, NC – MARCH 16: Dexter Strickland #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the first half while taking on the Maryland Terrapins during the men’s ACC Tournament semifinals at Greensboro Coliseum on March 16, 2013 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC – MARCH 16: Dexter Strickland #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the first half while taking on the Maryland Terrapins during the men’s ACC Tournament semifinals at Greensboro Coliseum on March 16, 2013 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The best North Carolina basketball role players since 2010: Dexter Strickland

Even though his time in Chapel Hill began prior to the start of the decade, we included Dexter Strickland being that the majority of his collegiate career (three of four seasons) happened within the decade.

Strickland is a player who was able to adapt to the college game rather quickly. He earned quality minutes right away as a freshman, showing his ability to effectively play both guard positions.

The Rahway, New Jersey native was definitely not the Tar Heels best scoring option, but he showed the ability to score the basketball at critical moments. In a shortened junior season (due to a Torn ACL), Strickland led the Tar Heels with a 57% shooting percentage. Although he wasn’t a very good three-point shooter, Strickland still posted high shooting percentages, as he was able to create shots that fit his style of play.

One of Strickland’s strengths came on the defensive side of the ball. During his four years in Chapel Hill, the 6-foot-3 guard posted 25 or more steals each season, including a team-best 46 steals during his sophomore season.

Along with his defensive ability, Strickland also proved that he was one of the country’s best passers. As a senior, Strickland led the nation in assist-turnover ratio (3.19), and his 143 total assists ranked fifth-best in the ACC.

It’s easy for guys like Strickland to get lost in the shuffle, considering the talent that was around him on the Tar Heels roster. However, he became a fixture for Roy Williams’ teams, and played an important role during his four-year stay.

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