North Carolina basketball: 5 most underrated Tar Heels in program history

DETROIT - APRIL 06: Danny Green #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a three-pointer in the first half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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North Carolina basketball (Photo by Andy Lyons/Allsport/Getty Images) /

4. Underrated North Carolina basketball players: Ed Cota, PG (1996-00)

Frankly, it’s not difficult to see why Ed Cota is a bit underrated in terms of North Carolina basketball. He didn’t lead the Tar Heels to win a National Championship (though he did take them to three Final Fours), he was never a prolific scorer and he also played with several other memorable players throughout his four years with the program. That’s all perfectly reasonable.

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But we shouldn’t forget just how good the point guard was throughout his entire career in college. Cota was remarkably consistent as a playmaker and all-around player for the Tar Heels. In his worst season (freshman year), he averaged 8.0 points, 6.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. In his best season, he put up 10.1 points, 8.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game as a senior. There’s not a huge disparity there.

Cota also racked up a ton of accolades over the course of his time with the Tar Heels. He was ACC Rookie of the Year in 1997, a three-time Second-Team All-ACC selection, a three-time NCAA All-Region Player and a three-time All-ACC Tournament selection as well. Oh yeah, he also finished his college career as the all-time leader in the ACC in assists.

Because of the aforementioned reasons and the fact that Cota never went on to find success in the NBA — in fact, he never played a single game in the NBA — he often gets overlooked. But when you look at what he did throughout his time in Chapel Hill, you start to see quickly that there’s no way that should be the case.