When the 2025–26 NBA season tipped off, nine players with ties to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels found themselves on opening night rosters — a powerful reminder of the program’s incredible reach, legacy, and continued success in preparing players for basketball’s biggest stage.
From established veterans to rising rookies, this group of former Tar Heels embodies the excellence, resilience, and determination that the Carolina blue has come to represent. Each player’s path tells a unique story — and together, they serve as proof that the North Carolina basketball factory remains as productive as ever.
THE NINE FORMER HEELS
1. Cole Anthony (G – Milwaukee Bucks)
After building his reputation as a scorer and dynamic playmaker in Orlando, Cole Anthony enters a new chapter with the Milwaukee Bucks. Known for his fierce competitiveness and ability to create offense off the dribble, Anthony now looks to carve out a steady role behind a championship-caliber lineup. For a player who once carried UNC as a freshman, this new opportunity represents a chance to prove consistency and leadership at the next level.
2. Harrison Barnes (F – San Antonio Spurs)
Few Tar Heels have displayed the longevity and professionalism of Harrison Barnes. Entering his 14th NBA season, Barnes joins the San Antonio Spurs as a veteran mentor on a young, exciting roster led by Victor Wembanyama. He remains the same steady force — efficient, mature, and capable of scoring from anywhere. Barnes’ ability to adapt his game through the years has kept him relevant, and his presence in the locker room is as valuable as his production on the court.
3. Tony Bradley (C – Indiana Pacers)
A member of North Carolina’s 2017 national championship team, Tony Bradley has built a reputation as a solid, hardworking big man. Now with the Indiana Pacers, Bradley brings depth, size, and a strong understanding of team basketball. His role may fluctuate depending on team needs, but his experience and fundamentals keep him ready to contribute whenever his number is called.
4. Harrison Ingram (F – San Antonio Spurs)
Harrison Ingram’s inclusion on the Spurs roster highlights the next wave of Tar Heels entering the NBA. Versatile and strong, Ingram offers the kind of two-way potential modern teams crave. Though he may split time between the NBA and G League this season, the Spurs’ system provides the perfect environment for development. With patience and growth, Ingram could soon establish himself as a valuable rotational piece.
5. Cameron Johnson (F – Denver Nuggets)
One of the best pure shooters to come through Chapel Hill in recent memory, Cameron Johnson continues to flourish as a prototypical modern forward. Now with the Denver Nuggets, Johnson brings elite floor spacing, size, and poise to a team built around Nikola Jokić’s playmaking brilliance. His ability to hit timely threes and defend multiple positions makes him an asset to any contender, and Denver’s offensive style seems perfectly suited to his strengths.
6. Pete Nance (F – Milwaukee Bucks)
Pete Nance’s inclusion on Milwaukee’s roster is another testament to UNC’s ability to prepare players for the next level. Though his role may be limited early in the season, Nance’s combination of length, shooting touch, and defensive instincts gives him the tools to grow into a reliable contributor. For a player who faced immense pressure following in the footsteps of his father and brother, making an opening night NBA roster is a milestone worth celebrating.
7. Drake Powell (G/F – Brooklyn Nets)
Drake Powell’s presence in Brooklyn is an exciting development for Tar Heel fans. A versatile guard-forward hybrid, Powell plays with energy and confidence. His defensive upside and athleticism could earn him more minutes as the season progresses. He represents the next generation of Carolina players adapting to the NBA’s fast pace and positionless style — a bridge between tradition and the game’s evolving future.
8. Day’Ron Sharpe (C – Brooklyn Nets)
Also in Brooklyn, Day’Ron Sharpe returns as a valuable piece of the Nets’ frontcourt rotation. Known for his rebounding and interior toughness, Sharpe gives Brooklyn much-needed depth behind their starting center. While still refining his offensive game, his physical presence and hustle remain his calling cards. He has the potential to become a consistent double-double threat if given regular minutes.
9. Coby White (G – Chicago Bulls)
Coby White enters the new season as one of the most recognizable UNC alumni currently in the league. After a breakout stretch last year, White has cemented himself as a starting-caliber guard in Chicago. His improved decision-making, shooting, and leadership have transformed him from a streaky scorer into a reliable cornerstone. Although he’s recovering from a minor injury to start the year, expectations remain high for the talented guard once he returns to full strength.
UNC’S ONGOING NBA PIPELINE
For decades, the University of North Carolina has served as a launchpad for NBA greatness. From legends like Michael Jordan and James Worthy to modern stars like Vince Carter, Danny Green, and now Coby White, the Tar Heels’ presence in professional basketball is unmatched.
Having nine players on opening night NBA rosters is more than just a statistic — it’s a reflection of UNC’s enduring impact. It speaks to the program’s ability to blend elite coaching, discipline, and basketball IQ with individual skill development. Carolina players arrive in the NBA ready to contribute because they come from a culture built on fundamentals, teamwork, and accountability.
Even as the basketball landscape evolves — with NIL deals, transfers, and early draft entries — UNC continues to adapt and thrive. The pipeline to the NBA remains strong, reminding fans and recruits alike that Chapel Hill is still one of the ultimate destinations for those dreaming of playing at the highest level.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The group of Tar Heels in the NBA faces a wide range of realities. Some, like Barnes and White, have secure roles and leadership positions. Others, like Ingram and Nance, must fight daily for minutes and consistency. Yet every one of them shares a foundation rooted in Carolina basketball’s competitive DNA.
The NBA is a relentless proving ground. For younger players, staying patient while developing behind veterans is key. For older ones, maintaining production and adapting to new systems keeps them relevant. Regardless of their roles, each Tar Heel on this list carries the pride of representing one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs.
LOOKING AHEAD
This season promises to be an exciting one for UNC fans following their former stars. Can Coby White elevate the Bulls into playoff contention? Will Cole Anthony seize his opportunity in Milwaukee? Could Cameron Johnson become a difference-maker for Denver’s title hopes? And might rising talents like Harrison Ingram or Drake Powell emerge as the next great Tar Heels to leave their mark on the league?
Each storyline adds another chapter to Carolina’s remarkable basketball heritage.
FINAL THOUGHT
Nine former Tar Heels suiting up on opening night isn’t just a reflection of individual success — it’s a symbol of continuity, excellence, and legacy. Every dribble, every shot, every defensive stop by a former Carolina player in the NBA echoes back to the hardwood of Chapel Hill.
The message is clear: the North Carolina Tar Heels remain one of basketball’s greatest pipelines to the pros, and their influence on the game — past, present, and future — is as powerful as ever.
