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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 28
Next
1973: Walter Davis #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles towards the basket during an NCAA game. Davis played for the Tar Heels from 1973-1977. (Photo by Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
1973: Walter Davis #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles towards the basket during an NCAA game. Davis played for the Tar Heels from 1973-1977. (Photo by Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /

20. Walter Davis (1973-77)

For most of his career with the Tar Heels, Walter Davis likely was considered the third best player on his team. Playing alongside the likes of Phil Ford and Mitch Kupchak (only one of whom makes this ranking), Davis was often relegated to more of an ancillary standing with the team. However, he still makes the list largely because of his sustained production in Chapel Hill.

In Davis’ freshman season, the least productive year in his career, he averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. However, his best season saw him average 16.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game. The point is, his peaks may not have been as high as some college basketball players but his consistency at a high level was quite remarkable.

Famously, Ford and Davis were unable to bring a national championship to North Carolina basketball. However, Sweet D — a nickname given to Davis due to his smooth style of play — was not to blame for that in the slightest. Playing with a broken index finger on his shooting hand that caused him to miss the NCAA Tournament opener, Davis returned and was dominant from the Elite Eight through the title game.

Davis averaged 20 points and over six rebounds per game over that stretch and did his part to get the team over the hump, which can’t be said of everyone as the Heels fell short of cutting down the nets. Even if never the best on his teams, he’s one of the best in UNC history.