Antawn Jamison, the 1998 consensus national player of the year for North Carolina, recently sparked conversation by revealing the five players he would start on his all‑time Tar Heels lineup.
His starting five features point guard Phil Ford, shooting guard Michael Jordan, small forward Vince Carter, power forward James Worthy and center Rasheed Wallace. Jamison placed Worthy at power forward after initially penciling Wallace in the middle, a decision that reflects both positional preference and the legacy of each player.
A Subjective Selection Process
The list deliberately omits several notable names, including Tyler Hansbrough, UNC’s all‑time leading scorer, and an entire generation of players from before 1974 such as Charlie Scott and Billy Cunningham. Jamison also leaves out any Tar Heels from the 2000s, despite the program’s recent national championships under coach Roy Williams.
According to Jamison, the exercise is less about statistical dominance and more about the perceived impact of a player’s NBA career. ‘I tried to pick guys who not only excelled at UNC but also left a mark in the professional ranks,’ he said, a rationale that has drawn both praise and criticism from fans.
The discussion appeared in the latest episode of the ‘Sports Legends of the Carolinas’ podcast, hosted by longtime Charlotte Observer sportswriter Scott Fowler. The interview offers a glimpse into how a former Tar Heel star reflects on the program’s rich history while inviting listeners to weigh in on their own dream lineups.