Now that we’re a quarter of the way through the 21st Century, it’s time to look back at the past 25 years of Carolina basketball.
The UNC basketball program has had some elite talent come through Chapel Hill, making it extremely difficult to name an All-Quarter Century Team. In fact, you probably could identify quite a few players who missed our list but would’ve made the squad for most other college basketball programs.
As difficult as it was, we came up with our team, comprised of 13 players.
How did we decide on 15? Well, we know that Division I programs have 13 scholarships to work with every year, but rosters are typically as many as 15 (with walk-ons). So, we took the liberty in using the spots wisely, as we all know there are more than 15 Tar Heels that could make a strong case to be on this list!
When compiling our roster, we considered several areas. Obviously, you’re not making this squad if you’re not talented, but there are other variables we considered, such as (but not limited to):
-College Production
-Team Success (during their time in Chapel Hill)
-Overall Legacy
-Years Spent at UNC (yes, long-term players benefited more than one-and-dones, but there is at least one exception)
As you probably already expected, this wasn’t an easy task! However, we’ve come up with our team, and we want to hear what you think!
Without further adieu… here’s your UNC Basketball All-Quarter Century Team.
Starters
Point Guard: Ty Lawson (2006-2009)
The point guard position was arguably the toughest to figure out, as both Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton are very strong options to start on this squad.
Lawson gets the edge based on a more decorated resume, as his Consensus All-American nod and ACC Player of the Year Award gave him the edge over Felton, a player who earned three first-team All-ACC selections.
I mean, this is a really good problem to have, even though the choice is a difficult one to make!
Shooting Guard: Wayne Ellington (2006-2009)
You could make the case that the 2009 Tar Heels don’t win the national championship without Ellington. The sharpshooter knocked down 7 of his 10 shots from beyond-the-arc during the Final Four, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.
Ellington was never afraid of the big moment, putting together his best performances in ACC and NCAA Tournament play. He was an NCAA All-Tournament and All-Region selection, and was named to the All-ACC Tournament team on three separate occasions.
When you put on the Carolina blue, you must be ready for the big-time spotlight. Wayne Ellington was more than ready for it.
Small Forward: Harrison Barnes (2010-2012)
Still to this day, Harrison Barnes is the highest-ranked recruit that the UNC basketball program has landed. Fortunately, he lived up to the hype, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors (becoming the ninth player in program history to do so).
He followed his stellar rookie season up by leading the Tar Heels to the ACC regular-season title, the ACC tournament finals, and the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament.
Power Forward: Tyler Hansbrough (2005-2009)
Without a doubt, Hansbrough was the easiest pick for this team. The 2008 National Player of the Year, “Psycho T’s” jersey isn’t retired by coincidence: he left the program as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder and led the UNC basketball program to a national championship.
Even considering all the elite players who have worn the Carolina Blue over the years, it’s hard to find a player (or players) with a better college career as a Tar Heel than Hansbrough.
Center: Sean May (2002-2005)
A dominant big man in the post, Sean May is best known for leading the UNC basketball program to the 2005 national title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.
Let’s face it: opposing teams are going to STRUGGLE to out-rebound the duo of Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough!
Reserves (in alphabetical order)
Armando Bacot (2019-2024)
Bacot served as a dominant force for the UNC basketball program during his five years in Chapel Hill. The program’s all-time leading rebounder, Bacot was a double-double machine, playing a major role in the Tar Heels’ trip to the 2022 national championship game.
Sure, he benefitted from having an additional season of eligibility due to COVID. However, you can’t take away from the fact that he was the face of the UNC basketball program during his time on campus, putting together a career for the record books.
Joel Berry II (2014-2018)
From a guy who doubted whether he belonged in Chapel Hill to one who has his No. 2 jersey hanging in the Dean Smith Center rafters, Joel Berry II is a testament to what hard work, loyalty, and dedication can do for you.
Berry developed into an All-ACC caliber guard during his time in Chapel Hill, putting together an outstanding resume to look back on. He played a integral part in the Tar Heels’ national title team in 2017, helping avenge the devastating loss in the finals a season prior. He earned Most Outstanding Player honors for that title run, proving just how valuable he was in guiding the UNC basketball program to another title.
Raymond Felton (2002-2005)
Honestly, you could really mix-and-match with Lawson and Felton at the point guard spot among the starting unit.
Felton was a All-ACC Selection each season he spent in Chapel Hill, taking the reins of the point guard position from the moment he arrived on campus. Consistency was his biggest asset, as he provided consistent presence offensively and defensively. While he could score the basketball, one of his best traits was facilitating the rock, assisting in finding open looks for his teammates to capitalize on.
Joseph Forte (1999-2001)
Forte’s two seasons in Chapel Hill were absolutely brilliant.
As a freshman, Forte was named th ACC Rookie of the Year. He followed that season up by being tabbed as the ACC Player of the Year and a Consensus First-Team All-American, averaging 20.9 points per game while shooting 45% from the floor (including 37.7% from beyond-the-arc).
Among this elite group of talent, Forte might just be the best pure scorer that this team has to offer.
Danny Green (2005-2009)
Green might not have the individual accolades that other on this list have, but he is the definition of what an all-around “glue guy” should be.
In order to be successful as a team, you need guys like Green: someone who is willing to do whatever the team needs to succeed. This shows in his overall stats as a member of the UNC basketball program, as he is the only player in Tar Heel history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 threes, 150 steals, and 100 blocks.
Green did anything the Tar Heels needed him to (whether he was coming off the bench of starting), and ended up being a major contributor for the 2009 title team.
Justin Jackson (2014-2017)
The 2016-2017 season for Justin Jackson was one of the best individual seasons we’ve seen from a member of the UNC basketball program.
Jackson took his game to a whole new level, averaging 6.1 more points per-game than he did as a sophomore. He earned the ACC Player of the Year Award and was a Consensus First-Team All-American in a season in which the Tar Heels captured their sixth national title.
Brice Johnson (2012-2016)
Johnson was dominant during his senior season at North Carolina, earning Consensus All-American honors. He finished the season averaging a double-double, setting new career highs in points per game (17), and rebounds (10.4), shooting the basketball at an elite 61.4%.
A two-time All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament honoree, Johnson was your prototypical big man to come through the program during the Roy Williams era. Williams had a knack for easing his big men into action, as the steady growth was evident over their four years with the program.
Johnson saw his role increase each season, ending his college career as arguably the country’s best big man and an eventual first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Kendall Marshall (2010-2012)
Marshall was the best passer to play for the UNC basketball program over the past 25 seasons, setting the program’s single-season assist record of 351. He absolutely crushed the previous ACC single-season mark, a record that was previously set by Craig Neal of Georgia Tech (311 assists).
If it wasn’t for a cheap shot (courtesy of Creighton), the Tar Heels were in a prime position to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. However, Marshall’s fractured wrist derailed the Tar Heels’ title hopes, as they went on to lose to Kansas in the regional finals while their point guard was sidelined.
Marshall became the third UNC basketball player to win the Bob Cousy award, joining fellow All-Quarter Century team selections Felton (2005) and Lawson (2009).
Marcus Paige (2012-2016)
Paige is a guy that UNC basketball fans wish had a better ending to his career. While his acrobatic shot (followed by a heartbreaking buzzer-beater by Villanova’s Kris Jenkins) is a sequenece that haunts us all to this day, Paige was stellar in his four-year career at North Carolina.
A three-time captain, Paige concluded his career with the UNC basketball program ranking No. 11 at in scoring (1,844 points), first in three-pointers made (299), third in steals (203), fourth in free throw percentage (.844) and eighth in assists (602).
Marvin Williams (2004-2005)
Williams was a “one-and-done” in Chapel Hill, but there’s no possible way you could leave him off this list.
Serving as the Tar Heels sixth man (yes, that’s just how good that 2004-2005 squad was!) Williams earned ACC Rookie of the Year Honors. His famous tip-in against Illinois in the national championship game is a play UNC basketball fans remember fondly, capping off his tremendous lone season at North Carolina.
This dude was so good, that he went on to be the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft after not starting a single game at the college level!
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