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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14 Mar 1998: Guard Vince Carter of the North Carolina Tar Heels in action against the UNC Charlotte 49ers during an NCAA tournament game at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. North Carolina defeated UNC Charlotte 93-83. Mandatory Credit /

22. Vince Carter (1995-98)

When you think about the last 30ish years of North Carolina basketball, Vince Carter is without question one of the first names that comes to mind. The player who would go on to be known as Half-Man/Half-Amazing for his high-flying ability spent three years in Chapel Hill and, though he didn’t bring down the house in terms of accolades or titles or even overall production, it’s hard to leave him off this list because of how iconic he was.

In truth, Carter really didn’t become a star in college basketball until his junior season with the Tar Heels. Though he made a leap from his freshman to sophomore season, he really only averaged 10.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game over his first 65 games in college. Having said that, the small forward really put it together after helping make a run to the Final Four in 1997 and returning for his junior year.

During his final year at Carolina, Carter put up 15.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, the best marks of his career, while also shooting 59.1 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from 3-point range, which are also the best marks of his career. In leading the Heels to another Final Four, Carter earned second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selections.

Had Carter stayed for another year with the Tar Heels, he could’ve contended for a top 10 spot — the same can be said of if he’d won a title. Even still, his iconic status and peak year in addition to the Final Four trips serve him well in making the cut.