Fansided

North Carolina basketball: Ranking the 27 best Tar Heels of all time

By Cody Williams

CHAPEL HILL, NC - 1983: Michael Jordan #23 of the North Carolina Tar Heels sits in the huddle against the Clemson Tigers circa 1983 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1983 NBAE (Photo by Anthony Neste/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - 1983: Michael Jordan #23 of the North Carolina Tar Heels sits in the huddle against the Clemson Tigers circa 1983 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1983 NBAE (Photo by Anthony Neste/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lennie Rosenbluth of the University of North Carolina basketball team.(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Lennie Rosenbluth of the University of North Carolina basketball team.(Photo Credit: Getty Images) /

4. Lennie Rosenbluth (1954-57)

Blessed with great height for his era at 6-foot-5, Lennie Rosenbluth was an absolute juggernaut throughout his three-year career with the Tar Heels. As a sophomore in his first season with the varsity team, Rosenbluth averaged 25.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. That would be a peak season for most players but it was merely the beginning for Rosenbluth who had much more in mind over his final two years with the Heels.

In the 1955-56 season, Rosenbluth went out and bested his freshman scoring mark by putting up 26.7 points per game and barely saw any effect on his rebounding as he still pulled down 11.5 boards per game for the season. And while his rebounding would decline noticeably in his senior season, Rosenbluth’s overall contributions were still unforgettable.

First and foremost, while the rebounding numbers dipped to 8.8 per game, the forward once again improved his scoring averaged as he put up 28 points per game for the season. Most importantly, Rosenbluth led the charge to North Carolina running through the NCAA Tournament and winning their first championship of the tournament era in college basketball.

At the end of his career, Rosenbluth had accrued Helms National Player of the Year honors in 1957, three consecutive first-team All-ACC nods and a Consensus first-team All-American honor in 1957 as well. With that, the fact that he brought the first tournament championship to the program and that he still ranks fourth all-time in career points at UNC, it’s no wonder his No. 10 is retired.