10 Best UNC Women’s Basketball Players

UNC is a powerhouse in basketball, whether you are talking about the women’s or men’s team. Household names have come through Chapel Hill in both the WNBA and NBA. The dedication to greatness of the athletic department in terms of basketball is nearly unmatched in the NCAA. Below will highlight some of the greatest players in UNC Women’s Basketball history. 

How We Chose the Best UNC women’s basketball players of all Time?

We picked the best UNC women’s basketball players of all time using stats, national success, and impact on the program. The program has a plethora of WNBA players that have won on this level as well. 

Who are the best UNC women’s basketball players?

#10 Nikki Teasley

Nikki Teasley was a 6-foot point guard who had a flair on the court. She averaged over 5 assists for her career at UNC along with 14 points per game. She was drafted with the #5 pick by the Portland Fire and is a WNBA All-Star. 

#9 Erlana Larkins

Erlana Larkins was the definition of a power forward during her time with the Tar Heels. She was a first-team ACC selection 3 times at UNC. Larkins also had quite a successful and long career in the WNBA. She was 4th in the WNBA in rebounding during one of her seasons with over 9RPG. 

#8 Paris Kea

Paris Kea will go down as the best transfer in UNC program history. She averaged over 19 points per game in a season with the Heels after transferring from Vanderbilt. Kea currently plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. She would hold a plethora of records if she had played all four years at UNC. 

#7 Pam Leake

Pam Leake was a great rebounder along with a scorer at UNC. She ranks on the top 10 lists for both categories. The big lefty was elusive yet powerful in her years at Carolina. She was an All-American in 1986 and helped shape the program for years to come.

#6 Tresa Brown

Tresa Brown was a highly coveted recruit receiving attention from top programs in the country. Brown helped lead the Tar Heels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1981. She also helped lead the Heels to their first ACC Championship in 1984. Brown wanted to be a part of building a program versus heading to an already successful program.

#5 Deja Kelly

Deja Kelly still plays for the Tar Heels and is a two-time All-ACC selection. She has averaged up to 16 points a game and has a high of 31 against Virginia Tech. A great shooter with incredible court vision, Kelly thrives in transition in finding her teammates. .

#4 Tracey Reid

Tracey Reid had a great career at UNC and holds the record for most points averaged in a career with over 18ppg. Reid went to the WNBA and is still the lowest draft pick to win Rookie of the Year, which she did in 1998. She helped lead the team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances. 

#3  Ivory Latta

Ivory Latta was a coveted recruit as she graduated as the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina high school women’s basketball history. Unlike many big-time recruits, Latta lived up to the hype and led Carolina in multiple areas. She graduated as the all-time ACC leader in 3-pointers made and ranks in the top 5 in points, assists, and top 10 in steals at UNC.

#2 Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith averaged over 16 points and 9 per game in her 4 years at Carolina. She hit the gaming-winning shot in the National Championship to earn the Tar Heels their first and only title. Smith gained quite a bit of recognition when she became the 2nd woman to ever dunk in an NCAA game.

#1 Tonya Sampson

Tonya Sampson led the UNC team in scoring in each of her 4 seasons. Her career culminated in the 1994 season as the Tar Heels won the national championship. When Sampson graduated, she was the all-time UNC women’s basketball scorer with over 2,000 points.

Best UNC women’s basketball players FAQs

How do UNC women’s basketball players compare to their male counterparts in terms of recognition and popularity?

The UNC men’s basketball team and its players have had much more recognition and success. Since 2000, the men have won multiple national championships and have the last few decades before. Michael Jordan is the most notable UNC men’s basketball player, with others garnering fame like Vince Carter, James Worthy, and Antawn Jamison.  

Which era is considered the golden age for UNC women’s basketball and its players?

The 33-2 team from 1993-1994 won the national championship over Louisiana Tech in the program’s only national championship. The team has not had as much success as their male counterparts and does not even play in the same gym. With powerhouse programs like UCONN dominating over the year, it has been difficult to get the best of the best in terms of recruits. 

Are there any recent players who have left a lasting impact on UNC women’s basketball?

Ivory Latta has been an all-star in the WNBA and is now working for the ACC. Her heart on the court inspired a number of smaller players, as she was only 5 foot 6 inches. 

What are some of the most memorable performances by UNC women’s basketball players?

The most memorable performance of a UNC women’s basketball player is surprisingly not in basketball. Marion Jones won 3 gold medals and 2 bronze at the 2000 Olympics in track and field. The medals were later vacated, but this two-sport athlete helped UNC win its only basketball title in 1993-1994. 

How has the success of UNC women’s basketball players translated to the WNBA or international competition?

Ivory Latta was a multiple-time WNBA all-star, while Trish Roberts played in the Olympics for the women’s basketball team. UNC players do not struggle at the next level, as the program has had a rookie of the year and all-star honors in the WNBA. 

Do UNC women’s basketball players hold any notable records in NCAA history?

Unfortunately, the Tar Heels do not have any record holders in NCAA history. A number of these records are from small schools that play against inferior competition, leading to inflated stats.