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The story of basketball in America can’t be told without mentioning North Carolina.
Affectionately known as the “Hoop State” for its love of the sport created by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, North Carolina has produced some all-time hoopers.
As the United States celebrates the year of its 250th birthday, The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Network takes a look at 25 of the best basketball players from North Carolina. Six of those players were represented on the NBA’s 75th anniversary team in 2021, and 11 of them are in the Naismith Hall of Fame, as of 2026.
The list includes a starting five, second team, third team, fourth team and fifth team (a small-ball lineup) from hoopers who spent significant time growing up and playing high school basketball in North Carolina.
'SKYWALKER': NC State basketball’s David Thompson honored with statue, lauded by legends
MJ'S START: Michael Jordan’s first game with UNC basketball was vs Kansas. Here's a trip back in time
Here are 25 of the best players from North Carolina to celebrate America 250.
Here’s the starting lineup of North Carolina basketball players:
Known as “CP3” and “the Point God,” Paul is one of the greatest point guards of all time and a future Hall of Famer. The Winston-Salem native was a star at West Forsyth High School, where he averaged 30.8 points, 9.5 assists, 6 steals and 5.9 rebounds as a senior. An All-American at Wake Forest, Paul’s No. 3 jersey was later retired by the Demon Deacons. He’s won two Olympic gold medals and is a 12-time NBA All-Star, leading the league in steals in six seasons and in assists in five seasons. He has more than 23,000 points and 12,000 assists in his career. The only thing missing on Paul’s impressive pro resume is an NBA championship.
Arguably the greatest shooter of all time as the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made with more than 4,200 treys, “Chef Curry” changed the game with his knack for knocking down long-range shots. The Charlotte native also has the highest career free-throw percentage in NBA history (91.2%). After wrapping up his prep career at Charlotte Christian School, Curry went to Davidson and set a single-season record for 3-pointers made (162) as a sophomore before becoming the NCAA scoring champion at 28.6 points per game as a junior. His No. 30 jersey is retired by the Wildcats. Curry has four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and was named Finals MVP in 2022. He’s a 12-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and has three Olympic gold medals. Like Paul, Curry is a member of the NBA 75.
Considered by many to be basketball’s “GOAT,” Mike gave way to Michael, who passed the rock to MJ. From “Air Jordan” to “His Airness” to the creation of the Jumpman logo, Jordan famously didn’t make the varsity team at Laney High School in Wilmington before averaging 25.4 points, 12 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in his final two prep seasons. Mike became Michael at UNC, where he knocked down the game-winning shot as a freshman in the 1982 NCAA championship game and became the ACC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year in 1984. Jordan went on to lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, putting together separate three-peats as a six-time Finals MVP. He was a five-time NBA MVP, 14-time All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA defender, including Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, including with the “Dream Team” in 1992, Jordan averaged 30.1 points in his career, totaling more than 32,200 points, 6,600 rebounds and 5,600 assists. His No. 23 jersey is retired by the Tar Heels, Bulls and Miami Heat, even though he never played for the Heat. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
“Big Game James” is a Gastonia native who became the first player to reach 1,000 career points at Ashbrook High School, averaging 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Worthy carried that success to UNC, where he became a national player of the year and national champion. Jordan hit the shot in 1982, but Worthy was the MVP of the national title game and that group of Tar Heels. The first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982, Worthy went on to become one of the greatest forwards in NBA history. A three-time NBA champion and the Finals MVP in 1988, Worthy was a seven-time All-Star whose No. 42 jersey was retired by the Lakers. His No. 52 jersey was retired by the Tar Heels. By the end of his career, Worthy surpassed 16,300 points, 4,700 rebounds and 2,700 assists. He averaged between 17 points and 21 points in eight straight seasons, playing a vital role for the “Showtime” Lakers. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
A Greensboro native who played like a modern-day big, McAdoo had an array of moves that helped him become one of basketball’s greatest scorers in NBA history. During his time at Ben L. Smith High School, McAdoo played the saxophone as the first chair in the band, won a state championship with a record-setting performance in the high jump and starred for the basketball team. McAdoo went to junior college in Indiana at Vincennes, where he averaged 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds, leading the program to a national title in 1970. He played one season at UNC, averaging 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Tar Heels. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973, McAdoo won the scoring title in three straight seasons, was named MVP in 1975 and was a five-time All-Star with the Buffalo Braves and New York Knicks before winning two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored more than 18,700 points and averaged 20 or more points in seven of his 14 seasons in the league. He carried that success to Italy, where he had six more seasons with averages of 20 or more points per game and won three championships, earning EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors in 1988. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Here’s the second team of North Carolina basketball players:
A Laurinburg native who became an all-time winner with the Boston Celtics, Jones helped the franchise win 10 NBA titles, including eight in a row from 1959-66. Bill Russell, who has 11 titles, is the only player with more rings than Jones. After attending Laurinburg Institute, Jones scored more than 1,700 points at North Carolina Central, and his No. 41 jersey was later retired by the Eagles. Known as “The Shooter,” Jones was a five-time All-Star and had his No. 24 jersey retired by the Celtics. He had more than 15,400 points, 4,300 rebounds and 2,200 assists in his career. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Born in Paris, Wilkins made his mark in “Little Washington” on his way to becoming the “Human Highlight Film.” He led Washington High School to consecutive state titles and a 79-1 record in that stretch, averaging just over 30 points per game in his final season. During his time at Georgia, Wilkins was SEC Tournament MVP and averaged 21.6 points per game. He was more than a high-flyer, becoming the all-time scoring and steals leader for the Atlanta Hawks. Wilkins averaged 20 or more points per game in 11 straight seasons and was the scoring champion with a 30.3 average in 1986. A nine-time All-Star and two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner, Wilkins had his No. 21 jersey retired by the Hawks and Bulldogs. He finished his career with more than 26,000 points, 7,100 rebounds and 2,600 assists. Wilkins also spent some time in Greece and Italy, winning a EuroLeague title as an MVP before claiming an Italian Cup in 1998. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Considered by many to be the greatest player in ACC history, “Skywalker” was a star at Crest High School in Shelby before leading N.C. State to a national championship. Even Michael Jordan looked up to Thompson, who was Jordan’s presenter at the Naismith Hall of Fame ceremony in 2009. Known for his 44-inch vertical leap and sweet shooting stroke, Thompson was a three-time ACC Player of the Year and two-time national player of the year with the Wolfpack, rumored to have snagged a quarter off the top of the backboard. He led the Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA title as the sport’s best player that season. A four-time All-Star, Thompson was the No. 1 pick in the ABA and NBA drafts in 1975. He averaged 20 or more points in six straight seasons and had a 73-point performance to cap the 1978 season. He totaled more than 13,400 points, 2,400 rebounds and 1,900 assists in his NBA career. His No. 44 jersey is retired by the Wolfpack and his No. 33 jersey is retired by the Denver Nuggets. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
An all-time great defender in the ABA and NBA, Jones was nicknamed “the Secretary of Defense.” The Charlotte native played at South Mecklenburg High School and was a two-time state champion in the high jump. He also led the school to a basketball state title in 1970 before playing for Dean Smith at UNC. He led the ACC in field-goal percentage in three straight seasons, setting a single-season record at 66.8% in 1972. A four-time All-Star, Jones made 10 straight all-defensive teams and helped the Philadelphia 76ers win the NBA title in 1983. He reached 11,300 points, 5,700 rebounds and 2,500 assists in his career. His No. 24 jersey is retired by the Sixers. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
A New Bern native known as “Bells,” Bellamy was a state champion as a football player at J.T. Barber High School and averaged 31 points per game on the basketball court in that same season. He carried that success to Indiana, where he grabbed more than 1,087 rebounds to set a school record, logging 59 double-doubles as a senior. He averaged 20.6 points per game and made 51.6% of his shots. He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 as the starting center. The No. 1 pick in the 1961 NBA Draft, Bellamy was the Rookie of the Year in 1962 and became a four-time All-Star. Bellamy averaged a double-double in 11 of his 14 NBA seasons. He finished his career with more than 20,900 points, 14,200 rebounds and 2,500 assists. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Here’s the third team of North Carolina basketball players:
A Gastonia native, Eric “Sleepy” Floyd played at Hunter Huss High School and led the program to a state title in 1977 against Ashbrook and James Worthy. Floyd went on to star at Georgetown as John Thompson’s point guard, leading the team in scoring in each of his four seasons with the Hoyas. He reached 2,304 career points at Georgetown in an All-American career before starting his 13-year NBA career with the New Jersey Nets. An All-Star in 1987 with the Golden State Warriors, Floyd averaged 18.8 points and 10.3 assists that season. In a playoff win against the Los Angeles Lakers, Floyd made 12 straight shots in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 51 points. He finished his career with more than 12,200 points, 5,100 assists and 1,120 rebounds.
“Sweet Lou” made the mid-range jumper a staple in the game. A Greensboro native who played at Dudley High School, where he was a four-sport athlete, Hudson went on to play at Minnesota as part of the first Black recruiting class. He averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds with the Golden Gophers before starting his pro career with the St. Louis Hawks. A six-time All-Star, Hudson averaged 20.2 points per game in his career, nearly reaching 18,000 points. In 1969, Hudson dropped 57 points to set a franchise record for the Hawks. His No. 23 jersey is retired by Atlanta and is No. 14 jersey is retired by Minnesota. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Known for his picture-perfect shooting form, “The Greyhound” was one of the NBA’s great shooters and scorers for 15 straight seasons. The Pineville native got his start at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, winning three state championships with just four losses in that stretch. “Sweet D” scored more than 1,800 points, grabbed 670 rebounds and dished out more than 400 assists during his college career at UNC. A six-time All-Star and the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1978, Davis had his No. 6 jersey retired by the Phoenix Suns. He reached more than 19,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,800 assists in his NBA career. He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1976. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
A Kinston native who led Charlotte to a Final Four appearance in 1977, Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell averaged 16.3 points and 10 rebounds during his college career before being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1977. A two-time NBA champion in 11 seasons, Maxwell was the Finals MVP in 1981 after averaging 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game against the Houston Rockets. He scored more than 10,400 points, grabbed more than 5,200 rebounds and dished out more than 1,800 assists in his career. His No. 33 jersey is retired by the Charlotte 49ers.
A Rocky Mount native who led the Gryphons to a state championship in 1978 as the MVP of that team, Williams was a rebounding machine who went on to have an All-American career at Maryland and played 17 seasons in the NBA. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1979 and twice led the league in rebounding. A three-time All-Star and the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1982, Williams spent most of his career with the New Jersey Nets. He played more than 1,300 games, averaging a double-double with 12.8 points and 10 rebounds per game as a pro. He totaled more than 16,000 points and 13,000 rebounds in the NBA. His No. 52 jersey is retired by the Nets.
Here’s the fourth team of North Carolina basketball players:
A Rocky Mount native and one of college basketball’s all-time great point guards, Ford was the player who made Dean Smith’s “Four Corners” offense so hard to guard. The first freshman to start a first game under Smith, Ford went on to score more than 2,200 points and was the national player of the year in 1978. In his senior season, he averaged 20.8 points and 5.7 assists per game. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 1975, Ford played seven seasons, totaling more than 5,500 points and 3,000 assists. His No. 12 jersey is retired by the Tar Heels.
A Raleigh native and the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall nearly averaged a triple-double at Word of God Christian Academy before becoming a one-and-done star at Kentucky, where he became the SEC Player of the Year and the Wildcats’ first national player of the year as winner of the Adolph Rupp Trophy. Wall averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists per game in Lexington before playing 11 NBA seasons. A five-time All-Star, Wall averaged 18.7 points and 8.9 assists in the league. He surpassed 12,000 points, 2,700 rebounds and 5,700 assists in his career.
A Charlotte native who got his start at Providence High School, where he averaged 27 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game as a senior, Jamison went on to become a star at UNC. He averaged 19 points and 9.9 rebounds per game and was the national player of the year in 1998. That season he averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Across 16 NBA seasons, Jamison scored more than 20,000 points, grabbed more than 8,100 rebounds and dished out more than 1,700 assists. He was a two-time All-Star and the Sixth Man of the Year in 2004. His No. 33 jersey is retired by the Tar Heels.
One of the few current pros on this list, Adebayo is a Pinetown native who played at Northside and High Point Christian Academy. As a junior, he averaged 32.2 points and 21 rebounds per game before a one-and-done season at Kentucky. He averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game with the Wildcats before being selected by the Miami Heat in the 2017 NBA Draft. A three-time All-Star and six-time all-league defender, Adebayo is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with 83 points.
The 7-footer from Black Mountain played at Owen High School before playing four seasons at UNC, where he became one of the Tar Heels’ all-time greats at center. Daugherty scored 1,900 points and grabbed 1,000 rebounds at UNC, making 62% of his shots in an All-American career. The No. 1 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1986 NBA Draft, Daugherty was a five-time All-Star and reached 10,300 points, 5,200 rebounds and 2,000 assists in his eight seasons, all with the Cavs.
Here’s the fifth team of North Carolina basketball players:
A Durham native who played at Hillside High School, Lucas became an All-American star on the basketball and tennis courts at Maryland. During his time with the Terrapins, Lucas became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,015 points and won two ACC titles as the No. 1 singles player in tennis. He played 14 NBA seasons, nearly reaching 10,000 points with more than 6,400 assists.
Fred “Curly” Neal is one of five Harlem Globetrotters to have his jersey number retired, joining Meadowlark Lemon, Wilt Chamberlain, Marques Haynes and Goose Tatum. Neal was known for his outstanding ballhandling in that No. 22 jersey. A high school star at Dudley in Greensboro, Neal averaged more than 23 points per game and led Johnson C. Smith to a conference title in his college career. Neal played in more than 6,000 games with the Globetrotters across 22 years, known for his infectious smile, shaved head and machine-gun-like dribbling and ballhandling.
Arguably the most well-known member of the Harlem Globetrotters as the “Clown Prince of Basketball,” Lemon played in more than 16,000 games, including 7,500 straight in a career that lasted a quarter-century. The Wilmington native attended Williston Industrial School and toured with the Globetrotters in more than 100 countries. He was skilled as a player, but his knack for entertaining became his trademark as he performed in front of popes and presidents. His signature move was a half-court hook shot. NBA great Wilt Chamberlain once said Lemon was “the most sensational, awesome, incredible basketball player that I’ve ever seen.” His No. 36 jersey was retired by the Globetrotters. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
The best player in the state during his time at Kinston before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, Stackhouse went on to become a star for two seasons at UNC. He averaged 19.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore and was the No. 3 pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. A two-time All-Star, Stackhouse averaged 16.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 18 seasons. He finished his career with more than 16,400 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,200 assists.
A Kinston native who won state championships in each of his four years with the Vikings, Ingram was the ACC Rookie of the Year at Duke in a one-and-done season for the Blue Devils. He averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game and was the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. A two-time All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2020, Ingram has averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 10 seasons. He’s averaged at least 20 points in seven straight seasons and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in June.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Exclusive: The top 25 basketball players from North Carolina for America 250
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Affectionately known as the “Hoop State” for its love of the sport created by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, North Carolina has produced some all-time hoopers.
As the United States celebrates the year of its 250th birthday, The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Network takes a look at 25 of the best basketball players from North Carolina. Six of those players were represented on the NBA’s 75th anniversary team in 2021, and 11 of them are in the Naismith Hall of Fame, as of 2026.
The list includes a starting five, second team, third team, fourth team and fifth team (a small-ball lineup) from hoopers who spent significant time growing up and playing high school basketball in North Carolina.
'SKYWALKER': NC State basketball’s David Thompson honored with statue, lauded by legends
MJ'S START: Michael Jordan’s first game with UNC basketball was vs Kansas. Here's a trip back in time
Here are 25 of the best players from North Carolina to celebrate America 250.
Starting Five
Here’s the starting lineup of North Carolina basketball players:
Chris Paul, Winston-Salem
Known as “CP3” and “the Point God,” Paul is one of the greatest point guards of all time and a future Hall of Famer. The Winston-Salem native was a star at West Forsyth High School, where he averaged 30.8 points, 9.5 assists, 6 steals and 5.9 rebounds as a senior. An All-American at Wake Forest, Paul’s No. 3 jersey was later retired by the Demon Deacons. He’s won two Olympic gold medals and is a 12-time NBA All-Star, leading the league in steals in six seasons and in assists in five seasons. He has more than 23,000 points and 12,000 assists in his career. The only thing missing on Paul’s impressive pro resume is an NBA championship.
Stephen Curry, Charlotte
Arguably the greatest shooter of all time as the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made with more than 4,200 treys, “Chef Curry” changed the game with his knack for knocking down long-range shots. The Charlotte native also has the highest career free-throw percentage in NBA history (91.2%). After wrapping up his prep career at Charlotte Christian School, Curry went to Davidson and set a single-season record for 3-pointers made (162) as a sophomore before becoming the NCAA scoring champion at 28.6 points per game as a junior. His No. 30 jersey is retired by the Wildcats. Curry has four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and was named Finals MVP in 2022. He’s a 12-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and has three Olympic gold medals. Like Paul, Curry is a member of the NBA 75.
Michael Jordan, Wilmington
Considered by many to be basketball’s “GOAT,” Mike gave way to Michael, who passed the rock to MJ. From “Air Jordan” to “His Airness” to the creation of the Jumpman logo, Jordan famously didn’t make the varsity team at Laney High School in Wilmington before averaging 25.4 points, 12 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in his final two prep seasons. Mike became Michael at UNC, where he knocked down the game-winning shot as a freshman in the 1982 NCAA championship game and became the ACC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year in 1984. Jordan went on to lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, putting together separate three-peats as a six-time Finals MVP. He was a five-time NBA MVP, 14-time All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA defender, including Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, including with the “Dream Team” in 1992, Jordan averaged 30.1 points in his career, totaling more than 32,200 points, 6,600 rebounds and 5,600 assists. His No. 23 jersey is retired by the Tar Heels, Bulls and Miami Heat, even though he never played for the Heat. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
James Worthy, Gastonia
“Big Game James” is a Gastonia native who became the first player to reach 1,000 career points at Ashbrook High School, averaging 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Worthy carried that success to UNC, where he became a national player of the year and national champion. Jordan hit the shot in 1982, but Worthy was the MVP of the national title game and that group of Tar Heels. The first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982, Worthy went on to become one of the greatest forwards in NBA history. A three-time NBA champion and the Finals MVP in 1988, Worthy was a seven-time All-Star whose No. 42 jersey was retired by the Lakers. His No. 52 jersey was retired by the Tar Heels. By the end of his career, Worthy surpassed 16,300 points, 4,700 rebounds and 2,700 assists. He averaged between 17 points and 21 points in eight straight seasons, playing a vital role for the “Showtime” Lakers. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Bob McAdoo, Greensboro
A Greensboro native who played like a modern-day big, McAdoo had an array of moves that helped him become one of basketball’s greatest scorers in NBA history. During his time at Ben L. Smith High School, McAdoo played the saxophone as the first chair in the band, won a state championship with a record-setting performance in the high jump and starred for the basketball team. McAdoo went to junior college in Indiana at Vincennes, where he averaged 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds, leading the program to a national title in 1970. He played one season at UNC, averaging 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Tar Heels. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973, McAdoo won the scoring title in three straight seasons, was named MVP in 1975 and was a five-time All-Star with the Buffalo Braves and New York Knicks before winning two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored more than 18,700 points and averaged 20 or more points in seven of his 14 seasons in the league. He carried that success to Italy, where he had six more seasons with averages of 20 or more points per game and won three championships, earning EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors in 1988. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Second Team
Here’s the second team of North Carolina basketball players:
Sam Jones, Laurinburg
A Laurinburg native who became an all-time winner with the Boston Celtics, Jones helped the franchise win 10 NBA titles, including eight in a row from 1959-66. Bill Russell, who has 11 titles, is the only player with more rings than Jones. After attending Laurinburg Institute, Jones scored more than 1,700 points at North Carolina Central, and his No. 41 jersey was later retired by the Eagles. Known as “The Shooter,” Jones was a five-time All-Star and had his No. 24 jersey retired by the Celtics. He had more than 15,400 points, 4,300 rebounds and 2,200 assists in his career. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Dominique Wilkins, Washington
Born in Paris, Wilkins made his mark in “Little Washington” on his way to becoming the “Human Highlight Film.” He led Washington High School to consecutive state titles and a 79-1 record in that stretch, averaging just over 30 points per game in his final season. During his time at Georgia, Wilkins was SEC Tournament MVP and averaged 21.6 points per game. He was more than a high-flyer, becoming the all-time scoring and steals leader for the Atlanta Hawks. Wilkins averaged 20 or more points per game in 11 straight seasons and was the scoring champion with a 30.3 average in 1986. A nine-time All-Star and two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner, Wilkins had his No. 21 jersey retired by the Hawks and Bulldogs. He finished his career with more than 26,000 points, 7,100 rebounds and 2,600 assists. Wilkins also spent some time in Greece and Italy, winning a EuroLeague title as an MVP before claiming an Italian Cup in 1998. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
David Thompson, Shelby
Considered by many to be the greatest player in ACC history, “Skywalker” was a star at Crest High School in Shelby before leading N.C. State to a national championship. Even Michael Jordan looked up to Thompson, who was Jordan’s presenter at the Naismith Hall of Fame ceremony in 2009. Known for his 44-inch vertical leap and sweet shooting stroke, Thompson was a three-time ACC Player of the Year and two-time national player of the year with the Wolfpack, rumored to have snagged a quarter off the top of the backboard. He led the Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA title as the sport’s best player that season. A four-time All-Star, Thompson was the No. 1 pick in the ABA and NBA drafts in 1975. He averaged 20 or more points in six straight seasons and had a 73-point performance to cap the 1978 season. He totaled more than 13,400 points, 2,400 rebounds and 1,900 assists in his NBA career. His No. 44 jersey is retired by the Wolfpack and his No. 33 jersey is retired by the Denver Nuggets. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Bobby Jones, Charlotte
An all-time great defender in the ABA and NBA, Jones was nicknamed “the Secretary of Defense.” The Charlotte native played at South Mecklenburg High School and was a two-time state champion in the high jump. He also led the school to a basketball state title in 1970 before playing for Dean Smith at UNC. He led the ACC in field-goal percentage in three straight seasons, setting a single-season record at 66.8% in 1972. A four-time All-Star, Jones made 10 straight all-defensive teams and helped the Philadelphia 76ers win the NBA title in 1983. He reached 11,300 points, 5,700 rebounds and 2,500 assists in his career. His No. 24 jersey is retired by the Sixers. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Walt Bellamy, New Bern
A New Bern native known as “Bells,” Bellamy was a state champion as a football player at J.T. Barber High School and averaged 31 points per game on the basketball court in that same season. He carried that success to Indiana, where he grabbed more than 1,087 rebounds to set a school record, logging 59 double-doubles as a senior. He averaged 20.6 points per game and made 51.6% of his shots. He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 as the starting center. The No. 1 pick in the 1961 NBA Draft, Bellamy was the Rookie of the Year in 1962 and became a four-time All-Star. Bellamy averaged a double-double in 11 of his 14 NBA seasons. He finished his career with more than 20,900 points, 14,200 rebounds and 2,500 assists. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Third Team
Here’s the third team of North Carolina basketball players:
Sleepy Floyd, Gastonia
A Gastonia native, Eric “Sleepy” Floyd played at Hunter Huss High School and led the program to a state title in 1977 against Ashbrook and James Worthy. Floyd went on to star at Georgetown as John Thompson’s point guard, leading the team in scoring in each of his four seasons with the Hoyas. He reached 2,304 career points at Georgetown in an All-American career before starting his 13-year NBA career with the New Jersey Nets. An All-Star in 1987 with the Golden State Warriors, Floyd averaged 18.8 points and 10.3 assists that season. In a playoff win against the Los Angeles Lakers, Floyd made 12 straight shots in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 51 points. He finished his career with more than 12,200 points, 5,100 assists and 1,120 rebounds.
Lou Hudson, Greensboro
“Sweet Lou” made the mid-range jumper a staple in the game. A Greensboro native who played at Dudley High School, where he was a four-sport athlete, Hudson went on to play at Minnesota as part of the first Black recruiting class. He averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds with the Golden Gophers before starting his pro career with the St. Louis Hawks. A six-time All-Star, Hudson averaged 20.2 points per game in his career, nearly reaching 18,000 points. In 1969, Hudson dropped 57 points to set a franchise record for the Hawks. His No. 23 jersey is retired by Atlanta and is No. 14 jersey is retired by Minnesota. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Walter Davis, Pineville
Known for his picture-perfect shooting form, “The Greyhound” was one of the NBA’s great shooters and scorers for 15 straight seasons. The Pineville native got his start at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, winning three state championships with just four losses in that stretch. “Sweet D” scored more than 1,800 points, grabbed 670 rebounds and dished out more than 400 assists during his college career at UNC. A six-time All-Star and the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1978, Davis had his No. 6 jersey retired by the Phoenix Suns. He reached more than 19,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,800 assists in his NBA career. He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1976. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Cornbread Maxwell, Kinston
A Kinston native who led Charlotte to a Final Four appearance in 1977, Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell averaged 16.3 points and 10 rebounds during his college career before being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1977. A two-time NBA champion in 11 seasons, Maxwell was the Finals MVP in 1981 after averaging 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game against the Houston Rockets. He scored more than 10,400 points, grabbed more than 5,200 rebounds and dished out more than 1,800 assists in his career. His No. 33 jersey is retired by the Charlotte 49ers.
Buck Williams, Rocky Mount
A Rocky Mount native who led the Gryphons to a state championship in 1978 as the MVP of that team, Williams was a rebounding machine who went on to have an All-American career at Maryland and played 17 seasons in the NBA. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1979 and twice led the league in rebounding. A three-time All-Star and the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1982, Williams spent most of his career with the New Jersey Nets. He played more than 1,300 games, averaging a double-double with 12.8 points and 10 rebounds per game as a pro. He totaled more than 16,000 points and 13,000 rebounds in the NBA. His No. 52 jersey is retired by the Nets.
Fourth Team
Here’s the fourth team of North Carolina basketball players:
Phil Ford, Rocky Mount
A Rocky Mount native and one of college basketball’s all-time great point guards, Ford was the player who made Dean Smith’s “Four Corners” offense so hard to guard. The first freshman to start a first game under Smith, Ford went on to score more than 2,200 points and was the national player of the year in 1978. In his senior season, he averaged 20.8 points and 5.7 assists per game. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 1975, Ford played seven seasons, totaling more than 5,500 points and 3,000 assists. His No. 12 jersey is retired by the Tar Heels.
John Wall, Raleigh
A Raleigh native and the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall nearly averaged a triple-double at Word of God Christian Academy before becoming a one-and-done star at Kentucky, where he became the SEC Player of the Year and the Wildcats’ first national player of the year as winner of the Adolph Rupp Trophy. Wall averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists per game in Lexington before playing 11 NBA seasons. A five-time All-Star, Wall averaged 18.7 points and 8.9 assists in the league. He surpassed 12,000 points, 2,700 rebounds and 5,700 assists in his career.
Antawn Jamison, Charlotte
A Charlotte native who got his start at Providence High School, where he averaged 27 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game as a senior, Jamison went on to become a star at UNC. He averaged 19 points and 9.9 rebounds per game and was the national player of the year in 1998. That season he averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Across 16 NBA seasons, Jamison scored more than 20,000 points, grabbed more than 8,100 rebounds and dished out more than 1,700 assists. He was a two-time All-Star and the Sixth Man of the Year in 2004. His No. 33 jersey is retired by the Tar Heels.
Bam Adebayo, Pinetown
One of the few current pros on this list, Adebayo is a Pinetown native who played at Northside and High Point Christian Academy. As a junior, he averaged 32.2 points and 21 rebounds per game before a one-and-done season at Kentucky. He averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game with the Wildcats before being selected by the Miami Heat in the 2017 NBA Draft. A three-time All-Star and six-time all-league defender, Adebayo is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with 83 points.
Brad Daugherty, Black Mountain
The 7-footer from Black Mountain played at Owen High School before playing four seasons at UNC, where he became one of the Tar Heels’ all-time greats at center. Daugherty scored 1,900 points and grabbed 1,000 rebounds at UNC, making 62% of his shots in an All-American career. The No. 1 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1986 NBA Draft, Daugherty was a five-time All-Star and reached 10,300 points, 5,200 rebounds and 2,000 assists in his eight seasons, all with the Cavs.
Fifth Team
Here’s the fifth team of North Carolina basketball players:
John Lucas, Durham
A Durham native who played at Hillside High School, Lucas became an All-American star on the basketball and tennis courts at Maryland. During his time with the Terrapins, Lucas became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,015 points and won two ACC titles as the No. 1 singles player in tennis. He played 14 NBA seasons, nearly reaching 10,000 points with more than 6,400 assists.
Curly Neal, Greensboro
Fred “Curly” Neal is one of five Harlem Globetrotters to have his jersey number retired, joining Meadowlark Lemon, Wilt Chamberlain, Marques Haynes and Goose Tatum. Neal was known for his outstanding ballhandling in that No. 22 jersey. A high school star at Dudley in Greensboro, Neal averaged more than 23 points per game and led Johnson C. Smith to a conference title in his college career. Neal played in more than 6,000 games with the Globetrotters across 22 years, known for his infectious smile, shaved head and machine-gun-like dribbling and ballhandling.
Meadowlark Lemon, Wilmington
Arguably the most well-known member of the Harlem Globetrotters as the “Clown Prince of Basketball,” Lemon played in more than 16,000 games, including 7,500 straight in a career that lasted a quarter-century. The Wilmington native attended Williston Industrial School and toured with the Globetrotters in more than 100 countries. He was skilled as a player, but his knack for entertaining became his trademark as he performed in front of popes and presidents. His signature move was a half-court hook shot. NBA great Wilt Chamberlain once said Lemon was “the most sensational, awesome, incredible basketball player that I’ve ever seen.” His No. 36 jersey was retired by the Globetrotters. He’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Jerry Stackhouse, Kinston
The best player in the state during his time at Kinston before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, Stackhouse went on to become a star for two seasons at UNC. He averaged 19.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore and was the No. 3 pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. A two-time All-Star, Stackhouse averaged 16.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 18 seasons. He finished his career with more than 16,400 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,200 assists.
Brandon Ingram, Kinston
A Kinston native who won state championships in each of his four years with the Vikings, Ingram was the ACC Rookie of the Year at Duke in a one-and-done season for the Blue Devils. He averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game and was the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. A two-time All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2020, Ingram has averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 10 seasons. He’s averaged at least 20 points in seven straight seasons and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in June.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Exclusive: The top 25 basketball players from North Carolina for America 250
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