No. 19: Kenny Smith

19

Name: Kenny Smith

Position: Guard

Jersey #: 30

Years: 1983-87

Honors: 1987 National Player of the Year (Basketball Times, The Sporting News); 1987 1st-team All-America; 2nd-team All-ACC in 1985 and 1986; Jersey No 30 is honored at the Smith Center.

Notable Stats: 2nd all-time at UNC with 738 career assists (was 2nd all-time nationally when he graduated); Averaged 6.1 assists per game for his career, 4th all-time at Carolina; 5th all-time at UNC with 13 games in his career with 10 or more assists; 21st all-time at UNC with 1,636 points; 5th most 3-pointers in a season at UNC with 87 in 1987; Averaged 12.9 points, 6.0 assists, 1.5 steals per game over his career;

In Closing: Smith helped lead the Tar Heels to unbeaten ACC marks in 1984 and 1987 during a period when ACC basketball was arguably at its best ever, although Carolina never reached a Final Four during his career. However, had Smith not broken his wrist with the Heels ranked No. 1 in the nation owning a 17-0 record in 1984 (it grew to 21-0 before the Heels lost), it’s possible they would have not only reached the Final Four, but could have ended up taking on Georgetown for the national championship. Carolina was the best team in the nation when healthy that season, so the odds are pretty good the Heels would have won. For the record, that was Sam Perkins’ senior season and Michael Jordan’s junior, and last, campaign at UNC. “The Jet” was fast, quick, saw the floor exceptionally well, and was as explosive to the basket as any point guard in Carolina history. Few players have ever gone end to end to score following an opponent's score than Kenny Smith.

Prior Ranked Heels

30 - Brice Johnson

29 - Ed Cota

28 - Pete Brennan

27 - Mike O'Koren

26 - John "Hook" Dillon

25 - J.R. Reid

24 - Bobby Jones

23 - Brad Daugherty

22 - Raymond Felton

21 - Jerry Stackhouse

20 - Sean May