North Carolina basketball legends Vince Carter, Walter Davis among finalists for Basketball Hall of Fame

INDIANAPOLIS (WNCN) – A pair of former North Carolina Tar Heels could soon be immortalized in basketball history.

Former UNC men’s basketball standouts Vince Carter and Walter Davis were selected along with 12 others as finalists for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

Carter, who played three years for the Tar Heels, spent a record-breaking 22 seasons in the NBA, becoming an eight-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection. Among his other numerous accolades include winning Rookie of the Year and earning a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Widely known for his high-flying acrobatics as a dunker, Carter ended his professional career averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while shooting 43.5% from the floor and 37.1% behind the three-point line.

During his time in Chapel Hill, he led the Tar Heels to a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference titles and Final Four appearances in 1997 and 1998. In his junior season, Carter racked up 15.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, which secured him a spot on the All-American team. Carter’s play resulted in him getting selected as the No. 5 pick in the NBA Draft.

Davis, the all-time leading scorer in Phoenix Suns’ history, put together an impressive career in his own right. He was a six-time NBA All-Star selection during his 15 years in the league. The Suns retired his No. 6 jersey in 1994.

Before the Suns chose Davis with the No. 5 pick in the 1977 NBA Draft, the Pineville native was considered one of the best shooters to ever don a UNC uniform.

In his four seasons, Davis recorded 1,863 points, 670 rebounds and 409 assists in his college career while playing for head coach Dean Smith. He also spearheaded the Tar Heels to an ACC Tournament title and NCAA championship game appearance in his senior year. Davis was also a member of the U.S. basketball team that won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics.

Davis, the uncle of current UNC men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis, died at the age of 69 in November 2023.

The 2024 inductees will be announced at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Phoenix on April 6.

The enshrinement ceremony is slated to be held on Aug. 17 in Springfield, Massachusetts.