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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1 APR 1995: NORTH CAROLINA CENTER RASHEED WALLACE REACTS TO A CALL DURING THE TAR HEELS 75-68 LOSS TO THE ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS IN THE NCAA FINAL FOUR AT THE KINGDOME IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. Mandatory Credit: Allsport/ALLSPORT /

25. Rasheed Wallace (1993-95)

Rasheed Wallace only played two years for the North Carolina Tar Heels and, in truth, he really only had one year of elite production. That might not seem like enough to warrant being included in this list and, had he stayed more than just two seasons, he would’ve been a lock for the top 20 at minimum. Even still, his one great season and the success the Heels enjoyed in that year can’t be overlooked.

As a freshman, Wallace largely came off the bench for UNC and played just 20.9 minutes per game. Despite that limited role, the big man still was productive when he was on the floor, averaging 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the floor. When he started in the 1994-95 season the year after, though, there was hardly an answer for him.

In 34 games the following year, Wallace averaged 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while hitting on 65.7 percent of his field goal attempts. That performance led to him earning a first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American selection. Moreover, he helped lead the Heels to the Final Four in what would be a run of three Final Four trips in four years.

As stated, Wallace elected to head to the NBA after that junior campaign. Had he chose to stay even one more year, who knows what his legacy of greatness would be in Chapel Hill. Even without that, though, the big man is an unforgettable presence in UNC basketball history.