Fansided

Ranking the top 30 UNC basketball players in program history

By Cooper Watson

CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 7: Michael Jordan kisses former coach Dean Smith of the North Carolina Tar Heels during a halftime ceremony honoring the 1993 national championship team during a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Dean Smith Center on March 7, 2007 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 7: Michael Jordan kisses former coach Dean Smith of the North Carolina Tar Heels during a halftime ceremony honoring the 1993 national championship team during a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Dean Smith Center on March 7, 2007 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 20: General view of the Dean Smith Center before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on January 20, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 20: General view of the Dean Smith Center before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on January 20, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

18. Bobby Jones (1971-74)

Bobby Jones is one of the truly elite defenders in the history of UNC basketball. Later nicknamed “The Secretary of Defense” during his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers, Jones was known throughout both his college and pro careers as being an invaluable glue guy and leader. Jones is one of the most respected players in basketball—finding a teammate or coach who has something negative to say about him would be a difficult task.

As a sophomore in 1971-72, Jones averaged 10.2 PPG and 6.3 RPG on a team that made the Final Four. As a junior, Jones averaged a double-double with 15.0 PPG and 10.5 RPG, which he followed up with 16.1 PPG and 9.8 RPG averages as a senior.

Despite the success of the team in his first year, UNC failed to make the NCAA Tournament during Jones’ junior and senior seasons, which drops him down this list several spots. That said, Jones’ impact as one of the best all-around players, defenders, and leaders in UNC history is evident.