Canadian journalist brings up shockingly low lifespan of UNC athletes in NBA as Phoenix Suns axe former Tar Heel
The University of North Carolina has produced the third-most NBA players in history with 102, per the site College Transitions. However, a Canadian reporter brought up the shockingly low lifespan of Tar Heel players in the league. With the release of Nassir Little, there are only six UNC products left active in the NBA at the moment.
NBA Canada's Josh Eberley reacted to the Phoenix Suns' decision to release Little from his contract with an eye-brow-raising observation. Little still had $22 million left in his contract and the payout will be stretched to either six or seven years.
The Candian journalist pointed out that while UNC continues to produce players for the NBA, they have lacked the longevity to remain in the league and reach the 10,000-point plateau.
"The only UNC alumni to be drafted post-2000 and hang around long enough to score 10,000+ NBA points are Harrison Barnes, Raymond Felton, and Marvin Williams. For such a power house program, it's sort of remarkable, how unremarkable UNC guys have been in the NBA for 25 years now," Eberley tweeted.
The only current UNC players in the NBA at the moment are Cole Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Cameron Johnson, Pete Nance, Day'Ron Sharpe, and Coby White. Nance and Sharpe are fringe players, while the other four are either starters or important role players.
Leaky Black, Tony Bradley, Reggie Bullock, Danny Green, Justin Jackson and Nassir Little are active UNC alumni. However, they are not on any NBA roster. Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler played for the Tar Heels, although he was drafted out of Auburn after his transfer there.
According to Basketball Reference, there have been 38 players drafted out of North Carolina since 2000 and no one turned into an All-Star. Brendan Haywood, Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton, Brandan Wright, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, Ed Davis, Harrison Barnes and Reggie Bullock played at least 10 years in the league.
Who is the best NBA player to come out of UNC?
Despite the lack of All-Stars since 2000, North Carolina has produced great players over the years. But who is the best NBA player to ever come out of the University of North Carolina? It's actually a very simple answer – Michael Jordan.
"His Airness" played three seasons as a Tar Heel, helping them win one NCAA championship. He was drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 out of North Carolina and became one of the greatest, if not the greatest, basketball players in history.
Other well-known UNC players who turned into great ones in the league are James Worthy, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Walter Davis, Bob McAdoo, Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace.
Even though the lack of longevity from Tar Heels players in the league is concerning, the program has won three NCAA championships since 2000. They are tied with Duke for second-most during that span and just behind UConn's five.