Here’s a refreshed 300‑word tribute to Bill Chamberlains
—
Bill Chamberlain, a groundbreaking forward for the University of North Carolina from 1969 to 1972, passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 75 . Standing 6‑foot‑6 and hailing from New York, Chamberlain followed pioneering Tar Heel Charlie Scott as the second African American scholarship athlete in UNC history . Their shared legacy would redefine the roster in a pivotal era of college basketball integration.
Chamberlain’s journey began at Long Island Lutheran High School, where he honed a versatile style that would flourish under Dean Smith’s leadership at Carmichael Auditorium . On the court, he quickly made his mark. As a senior, he earned Second-Team All-American and Second-Team All-ACC honors, reinforcing his reputation as one of the nation’s top forwards .
Perhaps his finest collegiate moment came in 1971, when he was named Most Valuable Player of the National Invitation Tournament after UNC missed the NCAA bid . The following season, he helped guide the Tar Heels to both the ACC regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the Final Four alongside future stars like Robert McAdoo, George Karl, Bobby Jones, and Dennis Wuycik .
Selected in the third round of the 1972 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Chamberlain went on to play professionally with the ABA’s Memphis Tams and Kentucky Colonels, and later the NBA’s Phoenix Suns . Unfortunately, recurring back issues limited his pro playing time.
Following his playing career, he coached at Duquesne and served with the state department of public safety. Known for his advocacy in civil rights—supporting UNC’s Black Student Movement—and for championing fair labor practices in Chapel Hill, Chamberlain left a legacy that extended far beyond basketball .
Bill Chamberlain’s passing marks the loss of not only a talented athlete but a civil rights trailblazer whose impact resonated on and off the floor. He will be remembered fondly by the UNC community and the broader basketball
world.
