Category: Tar Heels in the pros

Two former Tar Heels playing for a Gold Medal on Saturday morning

The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature two former UNC soccer standouts in the women’s soccer gold medal match.

When the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics started back on July 24, there were a plethora of bright-eyed athletes from countries across the world, ready to chase their dreams by competing for medals.

With the Olympics quickly approaching their final day on Sunday, Aug. 11, there are only a fraction of those bright-eyed athletes left.

Two of those remaining athletes are actually former North Carolina Tar Heels: Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox, both integral parts of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team.

Dunn and Fox will be playing in the Gold Medal Match on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. ET, looking to help the USWNT capture its first Olympic Gold Medal since 2012, when it beat Japan 2-1 in the London 2012 Olympics.

Dunn has one assist through five games for the US, while Fox is part of a defense that has only allowed two goals.

Dunn played at UNC from 2010-2013, scoring 31 goals in 80 matches and helping her Tar Heel teammates capture the 2012 National Championship. Dunn’s club team is Gotham FC, whom she has a goal and two assists in 16 appearances (10 starts).

Fox later played at UNC from 2017-2020, scoring two goals in 69 matches. Her 11 assists were most on North Carolina’s 2019 squad, but her Tar Heel career was highlighted by First Team All-ACC honors in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Will Dunn and Fox help the USWNT bring home its fifth overall gold medal?

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Will Summer League be a path back into the NBA for this former UNC basketball standout?

A former UNC basketball player is getting a chance to make an NBA roster with the Summer League.

Plenty of former North Carolina Tar Heel basketball stars haven’t enjoyed that same success in the professional ranks, particularly when trying to join an NBA roster.

Garrison Brooks is the perfect example of this. Despite improving his game each succeeding year at UNC (2017-2021), highlighted by a career-best 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during the COVID-shortend 2019-2020 season, he has yet to make an NBA roster.

Brooks went undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, later joining the Westchester Knicks (New York Knicks’ G-League Affiliate) for the season. Despite averaging 13.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during the 2022-2023 campaign, he was never called up to the Big Apple.

Brooks attempted to break into the NBA last summer, playing Summer League ball for the New Orleans Pelicans, but ended up signing with the BC Wolves in Lithuania instead.

This summer could present Brooks his best opportunity to make an NBA roster, though, as he was named to the Chicago Bulls’ Summer League team.

If Brooks ended up making Chicago’s regular-season roster, he’d team up with former North Carolina and currently-budding NBA star Coby White.

Brooks made a name for himself in college, mainly due to his thunderous dunks and solid rebounding ability. He helped UNC to three NCAA Tournaments appearances, with UNC’s deepest during Brooks’ time in Chapel Hill (2018) a date in the Sweet 16.

When the NBA season kicks off in October, will Brooks find himself on a final roster?

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Baltimore Ravens’ WR Devontez Walker impresses in OTAs

Tar Heel Devontez Walker receives more praise for his quick learning abilities during the Baltimore Ravens OTA’s

Another day of OTA’s, equalling more praise for Tar Heel [autotag]Devontez Walker[/autotag], as he establishes himself with the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver group. 

Walker seems to be fitting in nicely with the Ravens, becoming a great addition to their roster. To make matters better for Baltimore, he was selected 113th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, arguably already being a steal of a selection. 

A week ago, it was Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken who spoke highly of Walker’s fast learning ability, and wide receiver coach Greg Lewis echoed that sentiment Tuesday. Lewis spoke about Walker’s learning style, calling him a “sponge“, listen below to hear the coach’s comments on the Tar Heel. 

UNC fans already knew what Walker could do in a short span. After missing time due to an eligibility ruling from the NCAA, that quickly backfired, Walker was dominant. In eight games, Walker finished with 41 receptions for 699 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Walker became New England Patriots third overall draft pick Drake Maye’s favorite target down the stretch putting on a show for Tar Heel fans in attendance. If he can make even an ounce of impact with Baltimore that he did with UNC, then the Ravens are in a good spot for years to come.

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Cedric Gray signs dotted line for rookie contract with Tennessee Titans

Cedric Gray agrees to terms with the Tennessee Titans, signing his rookie contract.

UNC defensive anchor [autotag]Cedric Gray[/autotag] has reached another milestone in his pro journey, as he has signed the dotted line for his rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans.

It was announced Thursday morning that Gray had officially signed his rookie contract, just two days after his UNC teammate [autotag]Drake Maye[/autotag] agreed to terms with the New England Patriots. Gray is already being discussed as the steal of the draft, falling to the Titans in the fourth round with the 106th overall pick.

Gray was one of the last to sign his contract from the Titans 2024 draft class, with only their second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat left to sign.

Per Spotrac, the deal is worth $4,854,492 over four years,  including a $834,492 signing bonus.

Regardless of how much Gray pocketed from the deal, this is only the start for the vocal defensive linebacker. If he can have the same impact he did with the Tar Heels, his initial contract will look like a chump change compared to his next one.

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Tracy McGrady to induct Vince Carter into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Toronto Raptor teammate and cousin Tracy McGrady to induct Tar Heel Vince Carter into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

North Carolina Tar Heel [autotag]Vince Carter[/autotag] announced on Fanduel’s ‘Run it Back’ that Tracy McGrady will be one of the people inducting him into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Carter, as well as other UNC late great Walter Davis, will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on August 17th in Symphony Hall, Springfield, MA.

It’s only fitting that McGrady is one of the selected few to induct Carter into basketball heaven, given their on and off-court connection. 

Watch below as Michelle Beadle tosses Carter the million-dollar question:

Not only were Carter and McGrady teammates in the NBA when they played for the Toronto Raptors but also cousins. McGrady revealed a year ago, he found out at a family reunion while Carter was playing at the University of North Carolina that the two were cousins, and the rest was history. 

Carter and McGrady were teammates for two seasons, electrifying fans in attendance. McGrady is also in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, getting inducted in 2017.

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Josh Downs breaks Indianapolis Colts Rookie record

Former UNC Wide Receiver Josh Downs breaks an Indianapolis Colts Franchise record Saturday night.

Former UNC Wide Receiver [autotag]Josh Downs[/autotag] has broken the Indianapolis Colts rookie record after grabbing his 66 recepition, surpassing NFL Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison (64) and Bill Brooks (65).

Downs broke the franchise record for receptions by a rookie in the Colt’s win and you’re in the playoffs game against the Houston Texans, where the speedy receiver finished with three receptions for 48 yards. The Colts weren’t able to secure the victory, losing in heartbreak fashion to officially end Down’s rookie campaign.

Downs this season have been special for Indianapolis, finishing with 68 receptions, 771 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He made a year of big splash plays, averaging 11.3 yards per catch.

The Colt’s investment has paid off already, pulling in these numbers while playing with a backup Quarterback. Downs should only improve next season with the return of Colt’s dynamic QB Anthony Richardson, making Downs a player to watch next year.

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Coby White moves into the top three betting odds to win Most Improved Player

Former UNC star Coby White top three in odds to win NBA Most Improved Player.

Coby White has been playing lights out for the Chicago Bulls this season and has started to pick up some buzz for the Most Improved Player Award.

Right now, as the calendar flips to 2024, White has the third-best odds to win the award on Bet MGM, with Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey leading the race and Alperen Şengün second a bit of a distant second. Here is how the odds look on Bet MGM:

  • Tyrese Maxey -275
  • Alperen Sengun +700
  • Coby White +1100

White signed a three-year 36M deal in the offseason and it paid off big time for Chicago.

This season, White is averaging 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists (all career highs). He’s playing the most minutes in his five-year career averaging, 35 minutes a game. He has been a walking highlight reel, with monstrous dunks over former Duke players and clutch threes.

There’s no denying Whites’s impact on Chicago, as he’s been able to carve out his role perfectly into the rotation. Right now, it’s Maxey’s award to lose, but White has made the race intriguing.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

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Sam Howell can’t overcome the 49ers defense in Week 17

Former UNC star Sam Howell struggles continue in loss to San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.

It was a forgettable day for Washington Commanders quarterback [autotag]Sam Howell[/autotag], whose struggles continued Sunday afternoon.

Days after being benched, Howell was named the starter after backup QB Jacoby Brissett sustained a hamstring injury. Howell played with a depleted offensive line, and going up against one of the best teams in the NFL, the 49ers made the start that much more daunting.

The Commanders kept pace at first, surprisingly, with their rushing attack leading the way. Howell even made well-placed throws, including a touchdown to Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin. However, the interceptions returned, with Howell tossing two, ultimately giving the 49ers the win.

Howell’s future is still uncertain, with the Commanders in prime position to draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. However, with offensive line struggles, Washington could go the route of patience, by drafting an offensive lineman.

Still, it’s going to be an interesting offseason for Howell and the future of the Commanders overall.

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Julius Peppers named a finalist for the 2024 Hall of Fame class

UNC legend Julius Peppers was named as 1 of the 15 finalists for the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame class.

UNC football great [autotag]Julius Peppers[/autotag] is a step closer to entering pro football’s elite club after being named a finalist for the 2024 Hall of Fame class.

Peppers was one of 15 finalists named for the honor, which also features Antonio Gates, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Jared Allen, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Eric Allen and Willie Anderson.

Out of the 15 players, only five will be picked for the high achievement, with Peppers having the opportunity as a first balloter, being his first year of eligibility.

Peppers was one of the more feared defensive players during his tenure in the NFL, playing for three teams, most known for the ten years spent in Carolina as a Panther. Peppers has 159.5 sacks in his playing career, ranking 5th most in NFL history, and 52 forced fumbles, ranking second most in NFL history.

Peppers won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and was selected to nine pro bowls.

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Social Media reacts to Cam Johnson dunk over Mark Williams

Social media reacts to former UNC Tar Heel Cam Johnson posterizing former Duke star Mark Williams.

Another day, another Tar Heel posterizing a Duke star in the NBA. That is what happened Thursday night, as Brooklyn Nets [autotag]Cam Johnson[/autotag] posterized Charlotte Hornets Mark Williams.

Johnson’s dunk comes weeks after Cole Anthony’s viral dunk and Coby White slamming it on Paolo Banchero.

The dunk came in the fourth quarter with seven minutes left to go, giving Brooklyn a 115-112 lead in a tightly contested game. The dunk has since gone viral, as personalities, outlets, and fans shared the clip around social media. In two hours, the clip has already gathered over 100k views.

Brooklyn would eventually lose 129-128, but the dunk will live to be the most memorable moment of the game. Johnson returned recently, making the moment that much sweeter, on top of posterizing a Duke player on the pro stage.

Let’s take a look at how social media reacted to Johnson’s monstrous dunk on Williams.