When you talk about North Carolina basketball, certain names always come up first—Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Phil Ford, Tyler Hansbrough. But for longtime Tar Heel fans, Antawn Jamison’s name deserves to be right in that mix, even if the debate about where he belongs among UNC’s all-time greats is still ongoing.
Back in the mid-1990s, Jamison wasn’t just another high school standout—he was the guy. A 1995 McDonald’s All-American, he came to Chapel Hill with sky-high expectations. Standing 6-foot-9, with that long wingspan and uncanny ability to finish in traffic, Jamison had a game that was as smooth as it was unorthodox. His quick-release flip shots around the rim became a signature, and ACC opponents had no answer for it.
By the time his three years at UNC were over, Jamison had cemented himself as one of the best to ever wear Carolina blue. He was the 1998 National Player of the Year, a first-team All-American, and the ACC’s top player. He averaged over 22 points and 10 rebounds per game in his junior season, leading the Tar Heels to back-to-back Final Fours. And even though he left early for the NBA, his impact in Chapel Hill was undeniable.
Fans still argue where Jamison belongs in the Tar Heel hierarchy. Some say his three years were as dominant as any player in UNC history—after all, not many can claim National Player of the Year honors. Others feel that because he never won a national championship and left before setting all-time program records, he falls just short of the absolute legends like Hansbrough or Jordan.
But maybe the best way to look at Jamison’s legacy is through the respect he continues to get from Tar Heel Nation. Even two decades later, fans remember the energy he brought, the highlight-reel finishes, and the way he made Dean Smith’s and Bill Guthridge’s teams must-watch every single night. His jersey may not hang in the rafters next to Jordan and Worthy, but his place in Carolina basketball history is secure.
For those of us who watched him dominate the ACC night after night, there’s no doubt: Antawn Jamison was, and will always be, a Tar Heel legend.
