Long before he roamed NBA sidelines as a head coach, Jerry Stackhouse was soaring through the air in Carolina blue, leaving crowds in awe and defenders in despair. A consensus First-Team All-American and one of the most electric players in UNC history, Stackhouse’s legacy remains firmly rooted in the storied tradition of Tar Heel basketball.
Stackhouse joined the University of North Carolina in 1993 as part of one of Dean Smith’s most heralded recruiting classes. In just two seasons, the Kinston, North Carolina native dazzled fans with his athleticism, intensity, and competitive fire. Alongside fellow future NBA star Rasheed Wallace, Stackhouse helped lead the Tar Heels to the 1995 Final Four, cementing his place in Carolina lore.
His sophomore season was nothing short of spectacular. Averaging 19.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, Stackhouse became the face of college basketball and a matchup nightmare for any defense. His signature moment came against Duke, where he delivered a thunderous windmill dunk that instantly became part of UNC-Duke rivalry legend.
In 1995, Stackhouse was named a consensus First-Team All-American, the Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the Naismith and Wooden Awards. He declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year and was selected 3rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers—becoming one of the highest Tar Heel draft picks of the decade.
During his NBA career, Stackhouse played for eight teams over 18 seasons, including standout years with the Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks. He was a two-time NBA All-Star, known for his scoring versatility, toughness, and leadership.
Beyond his playing days, Stackhouse has made a successful transition to coaching. He was the head coach of Vanderbilt University from 2019 to 2024 and is now an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. His coaching journey reflects the influence of Dean Smith’s philosophy—emphasizing discipline, player development, and team-first basketball.
Off the court, Stackhouse remains a proud ambassador for UNC. He frequently returns to Chapel Hill for alumni events and mentoring sessions, and he has spoken passionately about the values instilled in him by Coach Smith. “Coach Smith didn’t just teach us how to play basketball,” Stackhouse once said. “He taught us how to be men, how to treat people, and how to carry ourselves with purpose.”
Stackhouse’s journey from Kinston to Chapel Hill to the NBA and now the coaching sidelines is a testament to his enduring impact on the game. For Tar Heel fans, he represents a bridge between eras—a player who embodied UNC excellence, carried it into the pros, and now passes it on to the next generation.
And as the banners fly high inside the Dean Smith Center, Stackhouse’s story continues to inspire those who bleed Carolina blue.
