The College of North Carolina has a protracted historical past of success on the faculty stage, and that has translated into sending some true stars to the NBA. From the GOAT himself Michael Jordan, to James Worthy, Bob McAdoo, Jerry Stackhouse, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter and Rasheed Wallace – the listing is lengthy and full of stars.
Such isn’t the case for the league proper now. No present NBA participant who went to UNC has made even an All-Star Sport. Simply because the Tar Heels have been up-and-down over the previous decade as the college handed the baton from Roy Williams to Hubert Davis, so too has there been an absence of NBA expertise transferring by way of to the league.
Our listing beneath ranks the ten greatest participant within the NBA proper now who performed for North Carolina. This isn’t a rating of the greats all through historical past, nor does it consider Caleb Wilson and different present Tar Heels gamers. It is not a prediction of the place gamers will probably be sooner or later, both – merely the place they’re now.
We start in an inauspicious place: Salt Lake Metropolis.
Prime 10 North Carolina Gamers within the NBA
No. 1: Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
The dearth of stars amongst Carolina alumni is obvious proper from the leap. Hopefully, Caleb Wilson will change that calculus quickly, however for now the perfect participant on this listing is a non-All-Star beginning heart presently lacking almost your entire season with a shoulder damage.
When wholesome, nonetheless, Kessler is a high-impact two-way heart who’s in line for a major payday. He’s a premier shot-blocker and rebounder, main the league in offensive rebounds per recreation in 2024-25, and a hyper-efficient finisher across the rim. If he can keep wholesome transferring ahead, he may actually elevate into an All-Protection participant on an annual foundation.
No. 2: Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
Harrison Barnes was as soon as considered the subsequent Tar Heel star within the NBA, however he as an alternative settled in as a two-way position participant who has been part of some sturdy groups, together with beginning on the 2015 Golden State Warriors championship crew. Within the twilight of his profession, Barnes stays a knockdown shooter and versatile defender for a Spurs crew trying to contend.
No. 3: Cam Johnson, Denver Nuggets
A 12 months in the past, Cam Johnson could have topped this listing, however his 2025-26 season has been beset by damage and ineffectiveness. At his greatest, nonetheless, he’s a stretch-4 with an excellent off-the-dribble recreation and size on protection. His lack of athleticism caps his upside, and he’s already ageing out of his prime, however he has had some actual moments as each a assist participant on an NBA Finals crew and because the No. 1 possibility on a nasty crew.
No. 4: Coby White, Charlotte Hornets
Johnson’s teammate at UNC, Coby White is a microwave scorer who continues to be younger sufficient to take care of some potential to stage up as soon as extra. He has all the time performed on groups full of guards, and that continues to be the case on his new crew in Charlotte, however his scoring and playmaking set him as much as be the perfect third guard for an excellent crew.
No. 5: Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets
The drop off comes rapidly on this listing, as Day’Ron Sharpe is a stable rotation large man however nobody’s concept of a long-term starter. If given sufficient minutes he would in all probability common a double-double, and maybe the fitting state of affairs may unlock extra from him. He is an excellent, not nice, participant.
No. 6: Cole Anthony
An excellent sixth man with the Orlando Magic, Cole Anthony’s profession is beginning to slip down the slope and on the time of writing, he’s with out an NBA crew after being salary-dumped on the commerce deadline. He’s a fearless scorer with no constant 3-point shot or dependable defensive chops, and that kind of participant isn’t extremely valued within the trendy NBA.
No. 7: Caleb Love, Portland Path Blazers
Caleb Love seemed to be the traditional faculty star whose recreation would not translate to the NBA, however after three years at North Carolina and two at Arizona, he caught on within the NBA and has proven actual flashes of high-octane scoring. He ought to get no less than a couple of years within the league primarily based on his shock rookie season alone.
No. 8: Pete Nance
Pete Nance spent only a single season in North Carolina, and it was not a reasonably season, however he nonetheless counts for the needs of this listing. The son of former All-Star large man Larry Nance, Pete is a stretch-big with stable motion on protection who has hung across the league the previous few seasons in a number of stops.
No. 9: Tony Bradley
A big heart with extra dimension than talent, Tony Bradley’s rebounding capacity has saved him across the league for years however by no means earned him a full-time position. He went to the NBA Finals in 2024-25 and has been off-and-on the Indiana Pacers in 2025-26. Nonetheless simply 28 years outdated, he’ll in all probability proceed to drift on the fringes of the NBA for a couple of extra years to come back.
No. 10: Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets actually hope that Drake Powell strikes up this listing within the coming years after the athletic ahead was drafted within the first spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft as one thing of a venture. Presently he’s too uncooked to be a optimistic NBA participant, however in two or three years he may very well be close to the highest of this listing if all the pieces comes collectively.
