The Carolina family is just different.
While some people would rather spend their Labor Day weekend enjoying the last bits of summer, alumni of the UNC basketball program elected to come back to Chapel Hill to compete in some pickup games against the current roster.
Again, this is not something they are forced to do. They WANT to be back in Chapel Hill.
Some of the notable returnees include the stars of the 2023-2024 ACC regular season title team. Four starters from that group: Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram, and Cormac Ryan, were all in attendance.
Lucas: Family Time
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) August 30, 2025
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The returning guys weren't limited to the aforementioned four: Garrison Brooks, James Michael McAdoo. Drake Powell, Kenny Williams, Joel James, Desmond Hubert, Duwe Farris, and Walker Miller also were in attendance in Chapel Hill this weekend.
Kyan Evans spoke on the Carolina Insider podcast about how he has quickly realized that the culture at North Carolina is distinctly different. He is right on the money with that assessment, as no other program in the country can replicate what the Carolina family does for each other.
Whether you graduated a few months ago or haven't worn the Carolina blue uniform for quite some time, everyone is invited back to Chapel Hill. Tar Heels take pride in the program they once competed for, looking to support the new wave of talent that has the honor of calling North Carolina home.
Many things in life change, especially in the world of college athletics. One thing will always remain true: the Carolina family will always be something special, a culture that no one can replicate or even come close to.
It's just different in Chapel Hill, and moments like this emphasize that sentiment even more.