IntroUNC
Very few college programs in any sport have as much history as the University of North Carolina's Men's Basketball team. We're talking about 25 Elite Eights, 18 Final Fours, nine Championship Game appearances, and five NCAA Championships. Not to mention coaching greats like Frank McGuire who founded the ACC, Dean Smith who has the third-most wins all-time in men's college basketball, and present coach Roy Williams who has already won two titles in less than a decade. Like any other athletic squad there were a few future Hall of Fame players that contributed to the school's success — and as much as we remember Michael Jordan pulling up from 18 to win the national title or Vince Carter's explosive dunks, we remember the kicks they did their deeds in. It started off with some Converse classics and once their most famous alum got UNC in his shoes, well, they got treated with more than a few exclusives. To honor the current No. 1 team in the nation, we break down The Greatest 25 Sneakers in UNC Basketball History.
EdDavisUNCJ2009
25. Air Jordan 2009 PE "UNC"
When: 2009
Who: Ed Davis
Complex Says: Upon arriving in Chapel Hill, forward Ed Davis was an instant contributor to the 2008-2009 National Championship team. After breaking his wrist early in his sophomore season, Davis then went on to enter the NBA Draft in 2010, where he went in the top 10. And while the fencing-inspired (!) Air Jordan 2009 was quite the hit-or-miss shoe, the UNC version was — well, enough about that.
KrisLangNikeHolistic
24. Nike Air Holistic Uptempo
When: 1999
Who: Kris Lang
Complex Says: North Carolina native Kris Lang had much more success at UNC than years after spent attempting to make it into the league. Although Lang experienced several down seasons, via the post-Dean Smith era, he still managed to notch over 1,000 points in his career as a Tar Heel. And the Holistic Uptempo was a rarity in that it was something Duke and Carolina could agree on (see photo).
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23. Air Jordan XIX SE
When: 2005
Who: Sean May
Complex Says: Rounding out the trio of All-Americans on Carolina's 2004-2005 National Championship team, Sean May kept things anchored down low. The big man looked much better as pictured here in the JB makeup, than becoming an even bigger man upon getting into the league. Wait, Sean May and Jason Kidd wore the same shoe?
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22. Nike Air Metal Force
When: 1997
Who: Vince Carter
Complex Says: Back when Vinsanity was a human highlight reel night in and night out, he helped his Tar Heels reach the Final Four a pair of seasons. Making his way out with Coach Smith, Carter was selected fifth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft. The Metal Force was something of a low-flash shoe despite the Max bag — all the better to keep the attention on VC himself.
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20. Nike Zoom LeBron 2
When: 2005
Who: Rashad McCants
Complex says: Born in North Carolina, Rashad McCants was a natural to wind up in Chapel Hill playing the off-guard spot for the Tar Heels. During one of the most impressive seasons in college history, McCants broke out LeBron's second signature shoe to help bring home some hardware. While the idea of a college guy wearing the signature shoe of someone who never went to college is kind of strange, UNC was no stranger to the removable strap concept (as we'll re-visit a bit later).
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19. Air Jordan Retro XIII "Flint"
When: 2005
Who: Melvin Scott
Complex Says: Also contributing to the 2004-2005 National Championship team, Melvin Scott spent his entire four years in Chapel Hill. While he wasn't readily noticed for his flashy game on the court, we can't deny the freshness of the Flints he was donning here.
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18. Air Jordan Retro XIII "Neutral Grey"
When: 2005
Who: Raymond Felton
Complex Says: Felton ran the show for the Tar Heels from 2002 until they won the whole thing in 2005. He was a finalist for the Naismith College Payer of the Year award during his sophomore season. Like Melvin Scott, he went with the XIIIs, but chose the more subtle "Neutral Grey" go.
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17. Air Jordan Retro X "Ice Blue"
When: 2005
Who: Raymond Felton
Complex says: Another colorway perfect for the Tar Heel unis thanks to His Airness. Raymond Felton went through various kicks during UNC's 33-win season, including this pair of personalized "Ice Blue" Xs. Pretty sure that's the highest Ray's ever been off the ground — it's gotta be the shoes.
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16. Nike Total Max Uptempo
When: 1997
Who: Vince Carter
Complex Says: Vince had so many standout moments as a Tar Heel, why wouldn't he be on our list more than once? Rocking several classic Nike hoops silhouettes including these "Reggie Millers", his kicks game only complemented his high-flying antics atop the hardwood.
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15. Air Jordan Melo 1.5
When: 2005
Who: Raymond Felton
Complex Says: We're starting to think Raymond Felton didn't pick UNC just for the basketball. It's safe to say that Ray kept his footwear game on the up and up throughout the championship season at UNC. With Jordan as the juggernaut sponsor, the South Carolina native stayed leading the squad with solid play and an equally impressive variety of kicks. (Re: the photo. Ouch.)
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14. Air Jordan Retro V "Wolf Grey"
When: 2011
Who: Dexter Strickland
Complex Says: Making hoops history, UNC and Michigan St. squared off in the Carrier Classic just last week. The game, held atop a U.S. aircraft carrier, included such other visual standouts as the Veteran's Day-dedicated camo unis for both squads and UNC's Dexter Strickland rocking the AJ V "Wolf Greys" — as well as the Tar Heels getting the W, of course.
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13. Air Jordan Melo 5.5
When: 2006
Who: Tyler Hansbrough
Complex Says: One of the most celebrated college basketball players in history, Tyler Hansbrough brought his tenacious work ethic to Chapel Hill in 2006, where he went on to become the ACC Freshman of the Year. His junior year he landed player of the year honors, as his squad then went on to cut down the nets the following season in 2009. Psycho T earned his nickname for the hours he spent in the weight room and on the practice courts — maybe he wore the Melos to remind himself of the ultimate goal.
RashadMcCantsHuarache2K4
12. Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4
When: 2005
Who: Rashad McCants
Complex Says: Not without controversy, McCants spent three years wearing Tar Heel blue and helped the team cut down the nets in 2005. Being a part of the three-headed monster of May-Felton-McCants, McCants joined his heralded teammates on the Wooden Award ballot his junior season. He repped hard for plenty of people on the court, as shown by his tagged-up Huaraches. Too bad he didn't wear a bigger size.
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11. Nike Air Modify Force
When: 1996
Who: Antawn Jamison
Complex Says: A season before being awarded Player of the Year, Antawn Jamison hit the court in the workmanlike Air Modify Forces. 'Tawn spent three years at Carolina, posted ludicrous shooting percentages, and his No. 33 is now raised in the rafters at the Dean Dome alongside the other legends. (Remember how we mentioned the removable straps before? See: these.)
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10. Air Jordan Retro III "Cement"
When: 2011
Who: Dexter Strickland
Complex says: To kick off 2011, Jordan Brand re-retroed one of the greatest shoes of all-time — to push through March Madness, Strickland laced up the clean IIIs and helped the Heels advance to the Elite 8. Hard to believe anyone would wear a veritable antique like the Air Jordan III on the court now when so many advances have been made since '88, but — OK, fine, we'd do it, too.
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9. Air Jordan Retro XI "Concord"
When: 2000
Who: Julius Peppers
Complex says: You might know Julius Peppers moreso as the NFL defensive end who terrorizes opposing backfields. When he was at UNC, however, he was a very vital member off the bench who rocked the re-release of the timeless "Concord" XIs. Sure, they didn't match the Carolina uniforms, but who was gonna tell HIM that?
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8. Nike Air Strong Mid
When: 1995
Who: Rasheed Wallace
Complex says: As you can tell from the photo above, 'Sheed was always an enforcer ready to do whatever to make sure his team had the edge on the court. During the '95 season, Wallace chose the durable Nike Air Strong Mid, which helped him hold down the all-time best shooting percentage in ACC history at 63.5 percent. Worn by Alonzo Mourning in the L, the Air Strong was perfectly suited to Sheed's game AND temperament.
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7. Jordan Team Jordan 1
When: 1998
Who: Vince Carter
Complex says: The most memorable Jordan team shoe to date got hooked up for California, Cincinnati, and of course UNC. Before declaring for the league, second team All-American and junior human highlight film Vince Carter laced up the Team Jordan 1 in his last year as a Heel. Can we get a retro?
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6. Nike Air Jordan XI "Columbia"
When: 1996
Who: Antawn Jamison
Complex says: When your most famous grad has his own sneaker line, there are going to be a few benefits. These "Columbia" XIs are so icy — we don't blame Jamison for rocking these during his sophomore campaign. Even the blue-collar guys need some flash sometimes.
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5. Nike Air Jordan X "Dark Powder Blue"
When: 1995
Who: Jerry Stackhouse
Complex Says: Before Vince, there was Stack. High-flying wing Jerry Stackhouse rocked the Powder Blue Xs while leading his Tar Heels to the 1995 Final Four. Stackhouse only spent a pair of seasons with Coach Smith before entering the 1995 draft, going one pick ahead of teammate Rasheed Wallace.
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4. Air Jordan 2011
When: 2011
Who: Leslie McDonald
Complex says: Since the Air Jordan line broke from the numerals to the year in terms of numbering in 2009, the 2011 has been by far the illest of the group. Not only upping the technological features on the shoe but a slew of colorways made them more appealing off and on the court equally. UNC got their own makeup, of course.
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3. Converse Pro Leather
When: 1982
Who: Michael Jordan
Complex Says: The good Doctor wasn't the only high-flying superstar lacing up Converse Pro Leathers back in the early '80s. Freshman Mike Jordan donned the iconic hoops silhouette while knocking down what would prove to be the game-winning jumper in the 1982 NCAA Championship game against Patrick Ewing and his Georgetown Hoyas.
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2. Air Jordan Retro XIII "UNC" PE
When: 2005
Who: Marvin Williams
Complex Says: 2005 welcomed a barrage of Jordan heat on the feet of the Tar Heel squad. Marvin Williams was the team's highly-touted freshman whose instant contributions as sixth man helped lead to cutting down the nets that season. Of all the Carolina-specific Jordan Retro makeups, these — like those Heels — are the champs.
