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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 16
Next
Sam Perkins of the Seattle Supersonics (Photo Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport)
Sam Perkins of the Seattle Supersonics (Photo Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport) /

No. 13: Sam Perkins

Career Stats: 11.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 45.9 FG%, 36.2 3PT%

The top of the 1984 NBA Draft was owned by UNC basketball standouts, as Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins heard their names called back-to-back with the third and fourth overall selections.

Over 19 seasons in the NBA, Perkins’ teams were very successful in the regular season, as he appeared in the postseason 15 times. Unfortunately, the former Tar Heel never won a title, as both times he played in the finals (1991 and 1996), his teams lost (we think you probably know to who!).

Perkins was a standout player for the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers before he made his way to join the Seattle Supersonics. While in Seattle, Perkins added an element to his game, as he became a consistent scorer from beyond the arc.

In three consecutive seasons, Perkins knocked down over 100 three-pointers, as his ability to stretch the floor became an asset not only for him but for the Supersonics as well.

Although he always seemed to be “second fiddle” to Jordan, Perkins put together a very strong 17-year career in the NBA.

Home/Tar Heels in the Pros