100 Years of Carolina Basketball

UNC's newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel, decided it would be a great idea to list the top 10 players in UNC history. Here are their picks.

In Carolina history, there was no finer glue guy than Ed Cota. He ranks 3rd all-time in NCAA history for assists, finishing his career with 1,030. Ed saw the game differently than others. He could pick out the passing lane that no one else saw.

He holds the record for most games in a career without fouling out (138). He is the only player in NCAA history to record 1,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds.

Sam Perkins might have been overshadowed by a couple of legends while at North Carolina, but he did plenty of damage on his own during his 4 years there. He managed to get his hands on the ball enough to outdo Michael Jordan and James Worthy in the Tar Heels' record books.

Perkins scored 2,145 career points, good enough for third all-time at North Carolina, and he snared 1,167 career rebounds, which was good for first place until Tyler Hanbrough broke his record last season.

Perkins was nicknamed "Big Smooth" and earned three straight first-team all-American selections from 1982-1984.

Charlie Scott's tenure at North Carolina basketball marked on of the most successful eras in the program's history. It also coincided with one where the Civil Rights Act had been signed but racial intolerance, bigotry and prejudice remained prevalent.

From 1968 to 1970, Scott led his team to three ACC titles and two consecutive Final Four appearances beginning in 1968. He was widely regarded as the best player in the ACC during his junior and senior year, but racism caused him to be overlooked for player of the year honors. Today his No. 33 jersey hangs in the rafters as a testament to his extraordinary career.

One of the best players in North Carolina basketball history could hardly see the basket he was shooting at. Nicknamed the "Blind Bomber" because of his poor eyesight and historic hook shot, George Glamack actually shot the ball based on the painted lines on the floor.

He was an All-American selection and the recipient of the Helms Foundation Player of the Year in 1940 and 1941. His jersey is one of the eight to be retired and hanging in the Smith Center rafters. His single-game point total of 45 against Clemson in 1941 still ranks as the fourth-highest in UNC history.

During his stint at North Carolina, Jamison averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. His scoring average marked the highest by a Tar Heel since Charlie Scott averaged 27.1 points per game in 1970. With Jamison as a star forward, the team enjoyed two consecutive Final Four appearances with arguable one of the most talented squads in program history.

With his No. 33 hanging in the rafters, Jamison became the seventh of just eight UNC basketball players to have his number retired. His accolades include Unanimous National Player of the Year in 1998 and ACC player of the year in 1998.

Lennie Rosenbluth was blessed with a feathery touch around the rim, an unstoppable hook shot, and a set of arms that seemed to unfold forever. He also brought the Tar Heels something they hadn't seen in 32 years and have not seen since - Perfection. Rosenbluth led UNC to a perfect 32-0 record in 1957 and capped it all by matching Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain basket-for-basket in the title triple-overtime victory against Kansas. No other UNC player has maintained a scoring average as high as Lennie's.

Rosenbluth was awarded the Helms National Player of the Year in both 1956 and 1957.

Tyler Hansbrough has become UNC's all-time leading scorer. When it came time to either return for his senior season or test the NBA waters, Tyler didn't hesitate. He'd be spending one more year in Chapel Hill.

While most of the media attention went to Ty Lawson, Tyler quietly and efficiently piled up the points as always. He surpassed Phil Ford as UNC's all-time scoring leader. He became a four-time All-American and All-ACC performer. By season's end, he had won a national championship. He had accomplished it all.

Michael Jordan was not the Greatest Ever when he first stepped onto the court for Coach Dean Smith in 1981. As a Tar Heel, Jordan took the strides that would eventually lead him to that consensus title..

After 1984, when Jordan won the Naismith and the Wooden College Player of the Year awards as a junior, he decided to forgo his final year and enter the NBA draft. The rest is history.

James Worthy's abilities are too often overshadowed by his teammates. His playing days at North Carolina are forgotten because the 'greatest player ever' followed him. But before Michael Jordan could become the best ever, Worthy was better.

His performance in the chamionship game in 1982 ranks among the best showings in UNC title game history. Worthy went 13-for-17 from the field while racking up 28 points - the most points ever by a Tar Heel in a championship game - en route to being named "Most Outstanding Player".

To identify Phil Ford, all that's needed is a shot of his hand, four fingers extended. For the past 40 years, Ford has been the most iconic UNC player ever to dribble a basketball.

Nobody ran the "four corners delay offense" better than Phil Ford. When Ford raised four fingers, the game was often over. Ford could dribble around anyone, and his staccato crossover was unguardable.

Ford finished his career with a national title game appearance, three straight first-team All-ACC team honors, three All-American honors and 2,096 career points. He remains the greatest player ever to wear a North Carolina basketball jersey. His retired No. 12 is one no UNC player will ever wear again.