A Tar Heel basketball great nominated for Naismith Hall of Fame
If you had the chance to watch Vince Carter play at UNC, you know how special of a player he was.
Chances are, however, you’ve more likely seen him fly through the air inside several NBA arenas.
Carter is arguably one of the greatest Tar Heels to never win a National Championship. He played in Chapel Hill from Fall 1995-Spring 1998, with the 97-98 season being his best (First Team All-ACC). Carter helped UNC to ACC Tournament Championships and Final Four appearances in 1997 and 1998, though no national titles came about.
Carter left UNC averaging 12.6 points per game over three seasons, with a career-best 15.6 ppg in Junior year.
He exploded to become an even better NBA player, averaging 16.7 points per game – including 10 seasons averaging at least 20. Not only was Carter an 8-time All-Star and 1999 Rookie of the Year, but he showcased some of the greatest longevity we’ve seen.
Carter played 24 NBA seasons, split between the Toronto Raptors (team who drafted him), New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks (whom he retired with).
Now four years removed from professional basketball and currently broadcasting with YES Network, Carter can add something else to his storied career – a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame nomination.
Recognize the names Seimone Augustus, Bill Laimbeer and Rick Barnes – two of the greatest professional players to ever suit up, plus one of college basketball’s storied coaches?
They’re all on the list with Carter.
If selected as a finalist, Carter would be announced on Friday, Feb. 16 during NBA All-Star Weekend. The enshrinement ceremony then follows on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass.
Carter has the potential to join a long list of Tar Heels in the Hall of Fame: Dean Smith, Larry Brown, Ben Carnevale, Billy Cunningham, Bobby Jones, Michael Jordan, George Karl, Bob McAdoo, Frank McGuire, Charlie Scott, Roy Williams and James Worthy
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
