Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: A Special Day For The Nance Family

By Aaron Conrad

Jan 17, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Pete Nance (32) reacts with guard R.J. Davis (4) after hitting a three point shot in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Pete Nance (32) reacts with guard R.J. Davis (4) after hitting a three point shot in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In the UNC Basketball victory yesterday over No. 6-ranked Virginia, something else in the box score was pretty special. Let’s unpack that. 

Senior transfer Pete Nance has been the subject of many tweets, posts, and reports this season. This story isn’t about the struggles. This story is about what a great day yesterday was for Nance.

Speaking of the last name Nance, February 25th is an important day in the Nance household.

Exactly 35 years ago, Larry Nance Sr was part of a blockbuster trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns.

For those not familiar, in 1988, the Cavaliers completed a blockbuster trade before those were really a thing in the NBA. Players didn’t change teams as they do now. Thanks to the rise and success of former Georgia Tech Hall of Famer Mark Price, first-round draft pick Kevin Johnson became an asset that could acquire a player the level of Larry Nance. The trade took place and it changed the landscape of both franchises in the best way for both.

Larry Nance Sr.’s jersey is now hanging in the rafters of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

On the same day that marked the most impactful trade in the Nance family (Larry still lives in the Cleveland area), Pete Nance got his groove back.

Yesterday, in arguably the biggest game of the season, Nance set the pace for the entire team. His leadership from the beginning caused others to follow. He scored, he defended, he screened, he assisted and he blocked shots.

Just like his dad.

For his career, Larry Nance Sr. averaged 17.1 points per game. He also averaged 54.6% from the field, 8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 blocks.

Yesterday, Pete Nance finished the game with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocked shots.

Did you catch it?

On the day that marked the 35th anniversary of a trade that changed the entire trajectory for his family, and his dad.

Nance finished the game with 22 points.

Larry Nance Sr. wore the number 22.

Next. UNC Basketball: Random Observations Virginia Win. dark

Follow us @KeepingItHeel on Twitter and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of UNC basketball news, updates, and recruiting.

Home/UNC Basketball