The greatest players in North Carolina men’s basketball history

The North Carolina men’s basketball program has won six national championships — guided by legendary coaches like Frank McGuire, Dean Smith, and Roy Williams. It’s probably the stable of ultra-talented athletes that the school is best known for producing. Here are our 20 best players in Tar Heels history — listed in chronological order.

Cobb was the first true basketball star at North Carolina. In 1924, he helped the Tar Heels to their first undefeated season. Cobb was part of three Southern Conference championship teams and was North Carolina’s first three-time All-American, and the national player of the year in 1926. According to Tar Heel Illustrated, Cobb averaged 15 points per game, and in 1923-24, totaled 353 points. He is one of eight North Carolina men’s basketball players to have their jerseys retired.

George Glamack, Forward-Center (1939-41)

The 6-foot-5 Glamack was another Tar Heel to have his jersey retired by the school. Glamack was known as the “The UNC Basketball Summer Preview: RJ Davis - Tar Heel Blog Blind Bomber” because despite having poor eyesight, he was one of college basketball’s better shooters at the time. He was an All-American and the national player of the year in both 1940 and ’41, and his 45 points scored against Clemson on Feb. 10, 1941, are tied for fourth-most in a single game by any Tar Heels player.

Before Cunningham found success in the NBA as both a player and coach, he put together one of the greatest careers in North Carolina history. While his 24.8 scoring average is second-best in school history, Cunningham is Carolina’s all-time leader with a 15.4 average rebounds per contest. His 1,062 career rebounds rank fourth in school history, and his 60 double-double games for points and rebounds are a program record.

Cunningham’s 48-point effort versus Tulane on Dec. 10, 1964, is the second-highest scoring game among all Tar Heels. The All-American and 1965 ACC Player of the Year is also responsible for five of the school’s six-highest single-game rebounding performances.