North Carolina basketball: All-time starting 5 – From Michael Jordan to Psycho T

C – Sam Perkins

Sam Perkins played four seasons for North Carolina basketball. During that time he made himself into one of the school’s all-time great players. At 6-foot-9 he was a force in the interior on both ends of the floor — and with the 3-point line not catching on until after he left he only gave the world a brief glimpse of his silky smooth perimeter shot while a member of the Tar Heels.

What Perkins did do, was leave the program as the all-time leader in rebounds (1,167 which was eclipsed in 2009) and blocks (245 which was bested twice in 2001 and 2012). He is currently third all-time in scoring for the school as well. He was part of some of the most talented teams in the school’s history but he did more than enough to stand out on his own. His name and jersey hang in the Tar Heels’ home stadium’s rafters.

In 1982, Perkins was on a team with Jordan and another member of this fictional starting five and together they helped bring a national title to North Carolina. Perkins spent the better part of that game going toe-to-toe with Patrick Ewing and he was able to hold his own against the future Hall of Fame member.

His NBA career wasn’t necessarily robust but when he was in Chapel Hill he walked the walk. Perkins’ time with UNC shouldn’t be forgotten or overlooked in any way. He was one of the best big men to play for a school that routinely produces high-quality centers and forwards. He won ACC Rookie of the Year, an ACC Tournament MVP and was a three-time consensus All-American and All-ACC selection.