UNC Basketball: Top 5 UNC point guards of all time
The University of North Carolina has a long history of talented point guards, but these five players top the list
There have been a lot of great players at UNC, most notably point guards. Some people even refer to the University of North Carolina as “Point Guard University.”
And the moniker is a fitting and justifiable one.
One of the most famous offenses in the history of basketball was led by a North Carolina point guard. Three of the 13 players to win the Bob Cousy award are Tar Heels; more than any other school. The list of accolades truly goes on and on.
In this article, we look at the top five point guards in the history of North Carolina basketball. The criteria for determining the list includes the players’ individual accomplishments, records that were set or broke, and their team’s level of success. And keep in mind, this list is based solely off of the individual’s college career.
Jan 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kendall Marshall (5) dribbles against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. The Boston Celtics won 112-92. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention:
Kendall Marshall, UNC (2010-2012)
Kendall Marshall had an impressive two-year career at UNC. He accomplished more in two years than what many players achieve in four years.
Marshall finished his college career with 581 assists. He also holds the UNC record for most assists in a single season (351). In two years, he set the UNC record for highest assist-per-game average (7.96) and highest career assist-to-turnover ratio (3.01; 581 assists to 193 turnovers). His assist-to-turnover ratio remains an ACC record.
Another ACC record set by Marshall was his single-season mark of 17 games with 10 or more assists. He won the Bob Cousy Award in 2012. He was a second-team all-ACC selection as a sophomore.
Marshall was selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2012 NBA Draft.
5. Tywon Lawson, UNC (2006-2009)
Tywon “Ty” Lawson played for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2006-2009. Lawson’s college career stats were averages of 13.1 points, 5.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Lawson led the Tar Heels to one Elite 8 (2007), two Final Fours (2008, 2009) and a national championship (2009).
As a junior in 2009, Lawson won the Bob Cousy Award, which is given to the NCAA’s top point guard. In addition to the Cousy Award, Lawson was a member of the All-ACC first-team and ACC Player of the Year. Lawson was the first point guard to be named conference Player of Year since 1978.
Lawson ranks seventh in assists in UNC history (608) and sixth in UNC career assists-per-game average (5.8). He has the highest single season assist-to-turnover ratio (3.489; 230 assists to 66 turnovers) and the second-highest assist-to-turnover ratio in a UNC career (2.78; 608 assists to 219 turnovers).
In the 2009 National Championship game, Lawson set a record for most steals in a NCAA title game (eight). He currently plays for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
4. Derrick Phelps, UNC (1990-1994)
Another great point guard who played for the North Carolina Tar Heels is Derrick Phelps. Phelps played at UNC from 1990-1994. Phelps led the Tar Heels to two Final Fours (1991, 1993) and a NCAA national championship (1993).
Phelps was a “blue-collar” point guard. He played both ends of the floor. His game wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.
Phelps reminds me of what former UNC head coach Dean Smith would be if he were a basketball player. He took shots only when it was necessary. He was truly a “pass-first” point guard who looked to get his teammates involved. His mistakes were minimal, indicative of his level of basketball IQ and style of play.
His personal accolades include being ranked fifth in assists in UNC history (637) and 24th in ACC history in assists-per-game (4.8).
In addition to that, he’s the all-time steals leader at UNC (247). He still holds the record for most steals in a game by a UNC players (nine).
Currently, Derrick Phelps serves as the associate head coach at the University of San Francisco.
3. Kenny Smith, UNC (1983-1987)
Kenny Smith played for the Tar Heels from 1983 to 1987. Smith transformed the point guard position at North Carolina. Smith had a great all-around skill set. He was a true point guard who has exceptional court vision, outside shooting and leaping ability.
Smith’s accomplishments include being ranked fourth all-time in steals at UNC (195). He also ranks fourth in UNC history in assists-per-game (6.1). Smith is second all-time in UNC history in total assists.
Currently, Smith works as a basketball analyst for Turner Sports and CBS Sports.
2. Ed Cota, UNC (1996-2000)
There were many good UNC players to wear the number five for the Tar Heels. Ed Cota was the first great player to wear the number at North Carolina.
Ed Cota set a great deal of assist records. In all honesty, he deserves the coveted title as the best UNC point guard ever. However, this title belongs to another individual who inspired Cota.
Here are a list of accomplishments that Cota achieved while at the University of North Carolina:
Cota is third all-time in assists in the ACC and NCAA (1,030). He holds the single-season UNC record for assists, setting a record each season from his sophomore year on. As a junior and senior, he broke his own record each season.
If his 1999 UNC team could have advanced a couple more rounds, then Cota would have likely set the all-time assist record in the NCAA. He’s fifth all-time in steals in UNC history (192) and tied with Jeff Lebo for most assists in one game at UNC (17)
The ONLY reason why Cota is not the top point guard on this list is due to the fact that he had to break someone else’s UNC records. THAT person is the top point guard in UNC history.
1. Phil Ford, UNC (1974-1978)
Phil Ford was the 1978 Wooden Award winner. His team was the 1977 national runner-up. He won a gold medal as college player in 1976 (under Dean Smith).
He held the all-time assists-per-game record (7.0) at UNC until it was broken by Ed Cota and Ford now ranks third all-time in assists at UNC (753). He’s eighth in ACC history in assists (753) and held the UNC record for most assists in one game (14) until it was later broken. He also held scoring record at UNC until it was broken by Tyler Hansbrough in 2009
The NCAA created the shot clock because Phil Ford ran the “Four Corners” to perfection. No one could stop Phil Ford when the “Four Corners” went into effect.
Ford was a true point guard who could also score like a shooting guard without sacrificing his role as a point guard.
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