Vic Molodet, a towering figure in North Carolina basketball, died on August 14, 2024, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the Wolfpack’s identity.
Early Life and High School Stardom
Born in East Chicago, Indiana, Molodet excelled at Washington High School, where he starred in three sports before committing to basketball at the collegiate level.
At North Carolina State University he became the centerpiece of a program that would dominate the ACC in the mid‑1950s, delivering the school’s first conference championship in 1954.
A Run of ACC Dominance
The Wolfpack captured three consecutive ACC titles between 1954 and 1956, a feat that cemented Molodet’s reputation as a clutch performer and team leader.
His statistical footprint includes a 14.9 points‑per‑game career average, 4.4 rebounds per game, and a suite of scoring records that still stand in the university’s annals.
Defining Moments
The 1954 ACC title game against Wake Forest went to overtime, where Molodet’s 82‑80 victory hinged on his poise under pressure, a moment still replayed in Raleigh’s sports lore.
A year later, he set the program’s free‑throw benchmark by sinking all 16 attempts in a single game against the same opponent, a record that endures to this day.
His senior season earned him first‑team All‑ACC honors, ACC Tournament MVP, and a Converse All‑American selection, capping a career that placed him among the conference’s elite.
Professional Path and Hall of Fame Recognition
The Boston Celtics drafted Molodet in the 1956 NBA Draft, selecting him 62nd overall in a class that also featured Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones and Sam Jones. Though his professional stint was brief, his contributions were later honored with inductions into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
A No. 73 banner flies in the Lenovo Center, commemorating his impact, even though his jersey number has never been retired.
The End of an Era
Molodet’s passing coincides with the recent death of 1983 NCAA champion Cozell McQueen, marking the loss of two pillars of North Carolina basketball history.
Tributes have poured in from former teammates, coaches, and fans, who recall his work ethic, humility, and the indelible mark he left on the community.