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

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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Former North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Phil Ford and former coach Bill Guthridge receive a standing ovation during halftime of the Tar Heels’ game against Florida State at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Sunday, March 3, 2013. UNC defeated Florida State, 79-58. (Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images) /

3. Phil Ford (1974-78)

If there’s one negative to note about the career of Phil Ford with the North Carolina Tar Heels, it’s the relative lack of team success throughout his time in Chapel Hill. Despite being one of the most prolific overall players in the history of the program, Ford only reached the Final Four once in his four-year collegiate career and failed to capture a championship as they lost in the 1977 National Championship Game.

Even still, it’s hard not to marvel at the consistent production that Ford put forth throughout his four years with the Tar Heels. As a freshman, Ford stole the show right away as he put up 16.4 points, 5.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. He followed that up in the 1975-76 season with averages of 18.6 points, 7.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

As a junior, Ford earned Consensus All-American first team honors as he averaged 18.7 points, 6.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game on the year, leading the Heels to the title game, even though they lost.

Ford’s final season at North Carolina was his magnum opus, though. Averaging 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, Ford was named the ACC Player of the Year and captured the Wooden Award while earning his second straight first-team Consensus All-American nod.

To this day, Ford still ranks second in career scoring and third in career assists at UNC. He’s an unrivaled legend and, had any of his teams cut down the nets, he might be even higher than third on this list.