The University of North Carolina has a long history of success at the college level, and that has translated into sending some true stars to the NBA. From the GOAT himself Michael Jordan, to James Worthy, Bob McAdoo, Jerry Stackhouse, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter and Rasheed Wallace - the list is long and packed with stars.
Such is not the case for the league right now. No current NBA player who went to UNC has made even an All-Star Game. Just as the Tar Heels have been up-and-down over the past decade as the school passed the baton from Roy Williams to Hubert Davis, so too has there been a lack of NBA talent moving through to the league.
Our list below ranks the 10 best player in the NBA right now who played for North Carolina. This is not a ranking of the greats throughout history, nor does it factor in Caleb Wilson and other current Tar Heels players. It's not a prediction of where players will be in the future, either - merely where they are now.
We begin in an inauspicious place: Salt Lake City.
Top 10 North Carolina Players in the NBA
No. 1: Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
The lack of stars among Carolina alumni is apparent right from the jump. Hopefully, Caleb Wilson will change that calculus soon, but for now the best player on this list is a non-All-Star starting center currently missing nearly the entire season with a shoulder injury.
When healthy, however, Kessler is a high-impact two-way center who is in line for a significant payday. He is a premier shot-blocker and rebounder, leading the league in offensive rebounds per game in 2024-25, and a hyper-efficient finisher around the rim. If he can stay healthy moving forward, he could certainly elevate into an All-Defense player on an annual basis.
No. 2: Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
Harrison Barnes was once thought to be the next Tar Heel star in the NBA, but he instead settled in as a two-way role player who has been a part of some strong teams, including starting on the 2015 Golden State Warriors championship team. In the twilight of his career, Barnes remains a knockdown shooter and versatile defender for a Spurs team looking to contend.
No. 3: Cam Johnson, Denver Nuggets
A year ago, Cam Johnson may have topped this list, but his 2025-26 season has been beset by injury and ineffectiveness. At his best, however, he is a stretch-4 with a good off-the-dribble game and length on defense. His lack of athleticism caps his upside, and he is already aging out of his prime, but he has had some real moments as both a support player on an NBA Finals team and as the No. 1 option on a bad team.
No. 4: Coby White, Charlotte Hornets
Johnson's teammate at UNC, Coby White is a microwave scorer who is still young enough to maintain some potential to level up once more. He has always played on teams packed with guards, and that continues to be the case on his new team in Charlotte, but his scoring and playmaking set him up to be the ideal third guard for a good team.
No. 5: Day'Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets
The drop off comes quickly on this list, as Day'Ron Sharpe is a solid rotation big man but no one's idea of a long-term starter. If given enough minutes he would probably average a double-double, and perhaps the right situation could unlock more from him. He's a good, not great, player.
No. 6: Cole Anthony
An ideal sixth man with the Orlando Magic, Cole Anthony's career is starting to slip down the slope and at the time of writing, he is without an NBA team after being salary-dumped at the trade deadline. He is a fearless scorer without a consistent 3-point shot or reliable defensive chops, and that type of player is not highly valued in the modern NBA.
No. 7: Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers
Caleb Love appeared to be the classic college star whose game wouldn't translate to the NBA, but after three years at North Carolina and two at Arizona, he caught on in the NBA and has shown real flashes of high-octane scoring. He should get at least a few years in the league based on his surprise rookie season alone.
No. 8: Pete Nance
Pete Nance spent just a single season in North Carolina, and it was not a pretty season, but he still counts for the purposes of this list. The son of former All-Star big man Larry Nance, Pete is a stretch-big with solid movement on defense who has hung around the league the last few seasons in multiple stops.
No. 9: Tony Bradley
A large center with more size than skill, Tony Bradley's rebounding ability has kept him around the league for years but never earned him a full-time role. He went to the NBA Finals in 2024-25 and has been off-and-on the Indiana Pacers in 2025-26. Still just 28 years old, he'll probably continue to float at the fringes of the NBA for a few more years to come.
No. 10: Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets certainly hope that Drake Powell moves up this list in the coming years after the athletic forward was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft as something of a project. Currently he is too raw to be a positive NBA player, but in two or three years he could be near the top of this list if everything comes together.