We break down which UNC basketball players have been the most underappreciated throughout the storied history of the program.
When you think of sports figures, the star players are often the ones that stand out the most.
Fans of the UNC basketball program often talk about the legends that have worn the Carolina blue during their college careers. From Michael Jordan to Tyler Hansbrough, those stars not only make an individual mark for themselves but become instant legends once they lead the historic program to its national championship standards.
As much as we all love and idolize the legends, there are many players that play a significant role for the UNC basketball program but are under-appreciated.
The reasons these players are under-appreciated can vary. It’s possible that they were a very good player on a star-studded team or even could have simply been a steady contributor who wasn’t viewed in the spotlight.
Regardless of the reasoning, we’ve provided our list of the ten most under-appreciated UNC basketball players of all time. There are a handful of players who could make a strong case for this list, but here are the ten that we’ve identified that deserve more love for what they accomplished with the program.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 10: Dennis Wuycik (1969-1972)
Wuycik was arguably the best player on the UNC basketball roster over his three-year career, as he was overshadowed by Charlie Scott during his sophomore season and was once again trumped during his senior season by Bob McAdoo.
Regardless, Wuycik was a steady scorer for the Tar Heels, as he averaged 16.9 points per game over his 87 games played. The UNC basketball program won an astounding 70 of those games, as he finished his time in Chapel Hill with back-to-back 26-win seasons during his junior and senior campaigns.
His best individual season was his junior year when he was the Tar Heels’ leading scorer on a squad that went on to win the ACC regular season title.
Following his monster junior season, he teamed up with McAdoo to form a dynamic duo that would lead North Carolina to repeat as ACC regular season champs while also being crowned the ACC Tournament champions as well. That group, led by the legendary Dean Smith, went on to make a Final Four appearance.
Dennis Wuycik isn’t the first name that comes to mind during that era, but he is one that should be remembered fondly by Tar Heel faithful.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 9: George Karl (1970-1973)
It’s no secret that George Karl is most remembered for his outstanding NBA coaching career.
What most people don’t know is that he was a very good basketball player for the UNC basketball program before his coaching career even began.
Similar to Wuycik, Karl was a very good player at North Carolina but was often overshadowed by some well-known names. During his time with the UNC basketball program, the Tar Heels never won less than 25 games a season, as they won a remarkable 77 of the 94 games Karl participated in.
Overall, Karl finished his UNC basketball career averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 assists, and three rebounds per contest. For his efforts, Karl earned All-ACC honors in each of his three seasons with the program.
Karl really showcased his talent during his senior season, as he led the Tar Heels in scoring at 17 points per game. You can even make the case that his performance during this season was overshadowed by the emergence of Bobby Jones who put together a dominant junior season.
Regardless, George Karl was a winning player, as he played a major role in the UNC basketball program’s success during that era. His biggest legacy may be as an NBA coach, but he should get some well-deserved recognition for what he did on the basketball court as a Tar Heel.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 8: Melvin Scott (2001-2005)
If it wasn’t for Melvin Scott, the UNC basketball program may not have won the national title during the 2004-2005 season.
When star point guard Raymond Felton was on the floor, the UNC basketball program looked unstoppable. However, when he wasn’t on the court, it was a much different team.
Remember: Felton was suspended for the opening game of the season, one that resulted in a UNC basketball program loss to Santa Clara.
In the Sweet 16 against Villanova, Felton fouled out with 2:11 remaining on the clock, leaving North Carolina with some doubt to hold on over the final minutes of play.
Insert Melvin Scott, who stepped up when his team needed him the most.
Scott took over running the Tar Heels offense, as they only recorded one turnover over the final minutes of action. He went on to make two clutch free throws and was part of the biggest play of the game, one that sealed the victory.
Although there was a potential foul on a shot attempt on Allan Ray, a travel was called, thus giving the Tar Heels the ball with a three-point lead. That stop, and an ensuing free throw, secured a one-point win and a trip to the Elite Eight for the UNC basketball program.
Scott saw time as both a starter and reserve during his time in Chapel Hill. Regardless, he was a player who always gave it his all, as he made winning plays that helped guide the team’s success over his tenure.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 7: Leaky Black (2018-2023)
In the world of social media, athletes are usually scrutinized and criticized by those who call themselves “sports fans,” especially the ones who follow a respective team.
Over his five seasons with the UNC basketball program, Leaky Black received a ton of negativity via social media, which wasn’t fair at all given what he brought to the table for the Tar Heels.
Of course, no one should be bashed via social media, but Black received a lot of it due to the fact that he never was a pure scorer. Where he lacked as a scorer, he made up for by being a winning player and an even better teammate, as his best skill became an asset that the Tar Heels relied heavily upon.
Black became known as a lockdown defender, as he was tasked with slowing down the opposing team’s best offensive threat. If a player got hot during a stretch of play, it was Black who drew the assignment, as oftentimes the Concord, North Carolina native won the head-to-head battle.
If the Tar Heels needed a basket, Black came through. If they needed a defensive stop, Black was up for the challenge.
His stat line wasn’t necessarily filled heavily in one or two areas, but he made plays that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. Regardless of what fans expected out of Leaky Black once he arrived on campus, one thing is certain: he played the game the right way and did everything in his power to make the UNC basketball program succeed.
Now that his UNC basketball program has come to an end, North Carolina fans should be more appreciative of what Black did for the Tar Heels during his college career.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 6: Pete Chilcutt (1987-1991)
Known for his versatility at the forward position, Pete Chilcutt was a key role player on some talented UNC basketball teams from the late 1980s into the early 1990s.
Although he may not be the first name that comes to mind from that era, Chilcutt was a versatile forward who developed into an important part of Dean Smith’s starting lineup.
After redshirting his freshman year, Chilcutt would appear in every game the following four seasons, making 77 starts in 140 total games played. He improved every year he was on campus, as his points, rebounds, steals, and blocks per game all steadily increased over that time period.
Chilcutt never led the Tar Heels in scoring and wasn’t ever considered the “go-to guy” among the teams he was on. However, the role he played was an important one, as he embraced what the Tar Heels needed him to do and did it to the best of his ability.
His importance to the UNC basketball program was never more evident than his senior season, as he played a role in leading a veteran-filled Tar Heel team to the Final Four. During that season, Chilcutt averaged a career-best 12 points per game, as he was one of four Tar Heels to average double-digit scoring.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 5: Sam Perkins (1980-1984)
You may be thinking: How is someone with the resume that Sam Perkins has on this list?!
The answer is quite simple: take a look at the rosters he was on in Chapel Hill.
It’s not often that a college basketball roster features a legendary trio like North Carolina had with Perkins, Michael Jordan, and James Worthy. Of course, a ton of the spotlight focuses on Jordan, who went on to have an illustrious NBA career and is considered by many to be the “GOAT” of the sport, while Worthy isn’t far behind with the Hall of Fame career he put together.
Although both players are well-deserving of the recognition, so is Perkins, who was just as important to the UNC basketball program’s success over his tenure.
Perkins was a three-time Consensus All-American and three-time All-ACC selection among various other honors. For most programs, the resume he established would rank among the top (if not at the top) of the best players to ever suit up for that respective university.
However, at the University of North Carolina, the program is filled with legendary players who have made their way through Chapel Hill, as Perkins often gets overshadowed due to the fact that he was surrounded by some legendary players.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 4: Joe Wolf (1983-1987)
Needless to say, Joe Wolf played on some very talented UNC basketball squads.
From beginning his career with the likes of Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins to finishing it with players such as Kenny Smith, J.R. Reid, and Jeff Lebo, there was no shortage of talent during Wolf’s four seasons in Chapel Hill.
Although he most likely isn’t the first player mentioned among any of the four teams he played on, Wolf developed his game over time to become a very valuable big man for the UNC basketball program.
Known for his defense and rebounding ability, Wolf’s offensive game got better during his Tar Heels career. His senior season is a testament to the growth in his overall game, as he averaged 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while connecting on 57.1% of his shot attempts.
A two-year starter, Wolf doesn’t necessarily receive the recognition as some of the other players that wore the Carolina blue during that time period. However, he is a prime example of how the UNC basketball program wanted its players to develop during their college careers.
Wolf improved in every aspect of his game, which is the main reason why he went on to be selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the No. 13 overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. He became a crucial piece to the puzzle for the UNC basketball program, as his production shouldn’t be overlooked.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 3: Isaiah Hicks (2013-2017)
Isaiah Hicks wasn’t a starter until his senior season, but that didn’t stop him from being an important player for Roy Williams and the UNC basketball program during his four-year career.
Battling for minutes with the likes of James Michael McAdoo, Brice Johnson, and Kennedy Meeks, Hicks was a vital part of the team’s rotation over his first three seasons on campus. Primarily as a reserve, Hicks stepped up when the Tar Heels needed him the most, providing quality frontcourt minutes to spell some of the team’s biggest stars.
After a heartbreaking loss in the national title game following his junior season, Hicks was about to take on a bigger role for the UNC basketball program, as he’d have the opportunity to be a full-time starter. This wasn’t going to be an easy task, as filling Brice Johnson’s shoes wouldn’t be easy.
However, Hicks was more than ready for the challenge, as he ended up being one of the key contributors on the “Redemption Team,” a group that was able to avenge the heartbreaking loss from a season prior.
The likes of Justin Jackson (the ACC Player of the Year), Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks, Theo Pinson, and Luke Maye often get much of the publicity, but Hicks deserves to be right in that mix. He earned a bigger role and fulfilled it, playing a critical role in helping the Tar Heels be the last team standing at the end of the 2016-2017 season.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 2: Donald Williams (1991-1995)
You’re probably saying: “The Most Outstanding Player of the 1992-1993 UNC basketball national championship squad makes this list?! You have got to be kidding me!”
However, Donald Williams doesn’t necessarily get the love that some of his former teammates receive from the North Carolina faithful.
Let’s remember, Williams helped lead the Tar Heels to a national title during his sophomore season. His junior year was when North Carolina reloaded by bringing in talented freshmen Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace.
Add their arrival with the veteran presence of senior big man Eric Montross, and you can see why Williams may have been overshadowed a bit!
Scoring just under 1,500 career points, Williams became a steady offensive threat, averaging over 14 points in each of his final three seasons on campus. He never led the Tar Heels in scoring, but Williams’ offensive output was a very nice compliment to the team’s other scoring threats.
Williams deserves a lot more credit for what he accomplished in Chapel Hill, as the Tar Heels won 111 games over the four-year span. In the three seasons that he was a key contributor, the UNC basketball program had an astounding 88-17 record, as Williams was a big piece of the puzzle for the team’s overall success on the court.
UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 1: Garrison Brooks (2017-2021)
When Garrison Brooks arrived in Chapel Hill, he was a part-time starter who was asked to play a specific role. Roy Williams and company needed him to provide steady defense and rebounding and when the opportunity came, put the ball in the basket
Surrounded by some very good offensive players over his first two years on campus, such as Joel Berry, Coby White, Cam Johnson, and Luke Maye, North Carolina didn’t need Brooks to be a star on the offensive side of the floor. He got his offensive chances on occasion, mostly following offensive rebounds or by receiving lob passes near the rim, but he was never called upon to be a star during that time.
Heading into his junior season, that changed quickly.
Brooks went from being a role player to being the guy, especially with freshman phenom Cole Anthony missing significant time due to injury. His production took off, as he went on to lead the team in both points (16.8) and rebounds (8.5) per game.
His numbers dipped during his senior season, but that could be attributed to the Tar Heels absolutely re-loading with a six-player freshman class that featured two very talented big men in Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler (to add to the duo that Brooks and Armando Bacot had already formed).
Fans gave Brooks a lot of criticism for his production during his senior season, especially due to the fact that he was picked as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Brooks also finished out his UNC basketball career on two rather disappointing Tar Heels teams, which also plays a factor in how what he accomplished seems to be under-appreciated.
What fans should take away from Brooks’ UNC basketball career is this: Whether he was needed as a role player or as “the guy,” Brooks did whatever he had to in order to help the Tar Heels be successful.
Brooks wasn’t able to control injuries or other factors that coincided with the team’s struggles, and as “disappointing” as some may feel his senior season was, they should take a look at the bigger picture to see just what Brooks was able to accomplish, especially when all the pressure was essentially on his shoulders.