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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CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 9: Rashad McCants #32 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after defeating the Duke University Blue Devils in the game at Dean E. Smith Center on March 9, 2003 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 82-79. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 9: Rashad McCants #32 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after defeating the Duke University Blue Devils in the game at Dean E. Smith Center on March 9, 2003 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 82-79. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images) /

21. Rashad McCants (2002-05)

Rashad McCants wasted little time upon beginning his college basketball career in showing that he was an elite scorer and shooter. As a freshman, despite UNC struggling to reach the success that the program had become accustomed to, McCants came out of the gates firing as he averaged 17 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 41.4 percent from long-range. He only continued to show out from there.

Throughout his three years in Chapel Hill, McCants proved not only to be a capable scorer but also that he was the go-to guy for a bucket in a big moment. For his career with the Tar Heels, the guard averaged 17.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from 3-point range.

As mentioned when discussing Felton, McCants helped the Tar Heels take steps forward every year that he was there. Once they were en route to winning the title in the 2004-05 season, McCants was a clear leader and he showed that in March Madness. In the six games that led to cutting down the nets, the Asheville, NC native averaged 17 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and a scorching 50 percent from deep.

After winning the title, McCants also left for the NBA Draft along with Felton and Sean May. Yes, his pro career never fully panned out and he’s had plenty of controversial moments related to his college career but the guard was undeniable on the floor for Carolina.