UNC Basketball: Top 4 players in Tar Heel history
By Bryan Mauro
2. James Worthy
Big Game James Worthy as he has come to be known, was another player to play for Dean Smith. Worthy played on some of the best teams in North Carolina and ACC history. The big man was explosive and had a knack for making a clutch play whenever his team needed one. Much like Carter, Worthy had a more formidable trio while he was on campus. He played with Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins for two of the three years he was on campus.
The amount of talent on those teams is arguably some of the best in the history of College Basketball. Worthy helped lead North Carolina to three final fours, two national championship appearances, and a National Championship game win. Even for a team with the history of North Carolina that is still an impressive three-year run. Worthy averaged 15 points and seven rebounds over his career. In the run to the National Championship, the big man was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.
The big man moved onto the NBA, it was in the NBA that earned the moniker of “Big Game James”. His clutch gene while playing his entire career with the Lakers took on a new form. The forward played during the glory years for the Lakers in the 80’s. He is a three-time NBA champion and a 7 time NBA all-star. The NBA Hall of Famer has had a stellar career. In most programs, Worthy would be the all-time great However, in at North Carolina his teammate was better.