Keeping It Heel
Fansided

Ranking the 15 best UNC basketball NBA careers ever

By Nick Delahanty

2 Jun 1997: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls speaks to reporters during a press conference at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
2 Jun 1997: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls speaks to reporters during a press conference at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /
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Philadelphia 76ers forward Billy Cunningham (32) (Photo Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports) /

No. 7: Billy Cunningham

Career Stats: 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 44.6 FG%

The “Kangaroo Kid” isn’t just a UNC basketball legend.

In fact, Cunningham earned a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, showing just how great his NBA career was.

Another Tar Heel selected in the top five of the NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers took him with the fourth overall pick. He went on to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors as his career skyrocketed from there.

Cunningham was a player who did a little bit of everything for his team.

During the 1966-67 season, Cunningham helped guide the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA title after dominating the regular season with a  68-13 record. It’s crazy to believe that Cunningham, who is considered an all-time great, was a key reserve on this team given the amount of talent they possessed!

His best statistical season came in 1969-70 when he averaged 26.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Overall, he went to five All-Star games (four in the NBA) and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986.

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