THE JET HONORED: Kenny Smith’s UNC Legacy Elevated With Banner, Awards & All-Time Honor
There are legends. Then there are Tar Heel legends. And in the heart of Chapel Hill, where basketball pulses through the veins of the community, few names carry the same blend of grit, grace, and greatness as Kenny “The Jet” Smith.
From the moment he stepped onto the hardwood at Dean Smith Center in the early 1980s, it was clear Smith wasn’t just another player — he was a future cornerstone of the North Carolina basketball legacy. Now, decades after dazzling fans with no-look passes, mid-air decisions, and championship poise, Smith’s name is immortalized, not just in the minds of Tar Heel faithful but also in the rafters, history books, and hearts of a proud Carolina family.
Let’s take a journey through why “The Jet” is so much more than a name, and how his legendary impact continues to be honored today.
From Queens to Carolina: The Arrival of a Star
Kenny Smith wasn’t always a household name. But when the Queens, New York native arrived in Chapel Hill in 1983, that quickly began to change. Recruited by legendary coach Dean Smith, Kenny stepped into a program already humming with success and raised the ceiling even higher.
As a point guard, Smith brought a lightning-quick style that earned him his nickname, “The Jet.” But his game was more than speed — it was built on intelligence, court vision, and unshakable confidence. He had that rare quality coaches crave: he made everyone around him better.
Stats That Stood the Test of Time
By the time Smith wrapped up his college career in 1987, the numbers told a story of brilliance:
1,636 career points
768 career assists (a UNC record at the time, now second only to Ed Cota)
Four-time NCAA Tournament participant
Two-time ACC regular season champion
He earned first-team All-America honors in 1987 and was widely considered one of the best point guards in the country. His leadership, especially during his senior season, helped cement UNC’s reputation as a point guard factory — a legacy that would continue with players like Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, and Coby White.
The Honors: Where Kenny Smith Lives Forever
The stats alone would’ve earned him respect. But UNC doesn’t just remember numbers — it remembers impact. And Smith’s impact has been recognized in several powerful ways.
His Jersey in the Rafters
Walk into the Dean Smith Center and look up. Among the legendary banners — Jordan’s 23, Worthy’s 52, Ford’s 12 — you’ll find Kenny Smith’s No. 30. While his jersey isn’t officially “retired” (a special UNC rule reserves that honor for National Player of the Year winners), it is “honored”, meaning it still hangs among the all-time greats.
That’s a distinction only the elite earn. And make no mistake — Smith earned it.
Patterson Medal Recipient
In 1987, Smith received the Patterson Medal, UNC’s highest honor for student-athletes. The medal recognizes excellence not just in performance, but in leadership, sportsmanship, and character — a fitting tribute for a man who never played the game the wrong way.
ACC Tournament Legend
Fast forward to 2012, and the Atlantic Coast Conference named Smith an ACC Tournament Legend. This recognition celebrates the most influential players in the conference’s rich history, and few deserve it more than “The Jet.”
From Hardwood Hero to Broadcasting Boss
Smith’s legacy doesn’t end in Chapel Hill. After being selected 10th overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, he went on to play nine seasons in the NBA, including stints with the 76ers, Pistons, and Rockets — where he won two NBA championships alongside Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston.
Then came his second basketball career — as a beloved and respected analyst on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Alongside Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson, Smith has become a voice of reason, a source of humor, and one of the most trusted minds in modern basketball.
Despite his TV fame and NBA rings, Kenny often reflects on his days at UNC as some of the most formative and meaningful of his life. That’s what makes his UNC legacy so personal — it’s clear that Carolina never left his heart.
A Role Model For Generations
Perhaps the most lasting part of Kenny Smith’s legacy is not just in what he did, but in how he did it. He wasn’t the loudest, the flashiest, or the most self-promoting. He let his game — and later, his wisdom — do the talking.
Young players still look up to him. Coaches still reference his leadership. And fans still cheer when “The Jet” makes a cameo at the Smith Center or drops knowledge on TV.
A Name That Belongs in the Pantheon
When you talk about UNC point guard legends, names like Phil Ford, Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, and Joel Berry come to mind. But Kenny Smith’s name belongs right alongside — if not above — many of them.
He was the bridge between the Dean Smith era of domination and the modern style of speed and skill. He helped evolve the game at UNC, showing that a point guard could be both lightning-fast and intellectually sharp.
Now, with his jersey flying high and accolades etched in history, there’s no mistaking it: Kenny Smith is UNC royalty.
Final Word
From the concrete courts of Queens to the hallowed hardwood of Chapel Hill — and onto the national stage as a champion and analyst — Kenny Smith has never stopped making the game better. And as long as the Dean Dome stands, Tar Heel fans will look up and remember the man who flew across the court with unmatched grace, pride, and purpose.
He’s more than “The Jet.”
He’s a Tar Heel forever.
