UNC Basketball: The Most Hated Players from Tar Heels' Biggest Rivals

Most people are taught as children not to hate others, but there are some players who just make it so easy.

College basketball fanbases are filled with so much passion that it is only natural to harness negative feelings toward opposing players. This only becomes more intense when stars like Christian Laettner and J.J. Redick are on the visiting team's bench.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a rich history of college basketball featuring some of the best players ever to step onto the court, but like any other program, a lot of attention is turned to those on opposing teams. This year will be no different, with a number of hate-worthy players coming from various other schools.

Of the young stars set to play the Tar Heels this season, here are a few whom the fans won't be greeting too kindly.

Brandon Ingram, Duke

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Whenever the state of North Carolina produces an elite recruit, the eventual decision causes a major shift in the outlook of the ACC. This is what happened when Brandon Ingram, listed at No. 3 in 247Sports' composite rankings, chose Duke over the Tar Heels and others.

To cause an even bigger sting, many considered Ingram to be a North Carolina lean for much of his recruitment before the school's academic scandal became a factor. He even told Andrew Carter of the News and Observer that he would have committed to UNC if not for the investigation.

Even if this ends up being a smart decision on his part, it will be a recruiting loss that fans—and especially coach Roy Williams—won't forget for some time.

Of course, the bigger issue is that Ingram is a good basketball player who could make an impact immediately. After losing a majority of the key players from last year's championship team, Duke needed this type of addition to replace the scoring, and the team got it. Even if he isn't Jahlil Okafor or Jabari Parker right away, Ingram will play a major role for a top contender next season.

While North Carolina fans will hate everyone wearing a Duke jersey, Ingram might get a few extra boos in his first collegiate season.

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

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Virginia isn't necessarily a direct rival of North Carolina, but the two ACC teams have faced off for years and should both come into next season as top-10 teams. This will make every game against each other important.

With Justin Anderson leaving for the NBA, Malcolm Brogdon will step up as the primary offensive weapon for the Cavaliers. This shouldn't be too much of a jump for a player who averaged 14 points per game last season for the defensive-minded squad.

Brogdon also had a pair of impressive showings against UNC last season, scoring 17 and 25 points in the two contests. Both of these totals were game highs.

The Tar Heels will have a talented team next season, but Brogdon is the type of two-way player who can cause problems in head-to-head matchups. If he can continue to raise his level of play, he has the opportunity to lead Virginia to another conference title.

This would cause some hatred in Chapel Hill.

Rasheed Sulaimon, Maryland

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A former rival is coming back into the picture this season when Maryland travels to North Carolina for the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Some believe this could be a matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation.

The Terps enter the year with a loaded roster full of talented players like Melo Trimble, Diamond Stone and Jake Layman, but who's better to hate than a player who until recently suited up for Duke?

The Blue Devils men's basketball team dismissed Rasheed Sulaimon last season, but during the summer, he decided to transfer to Maryland. He will be eligible to play immediately after graduating from Duke this August.

Although UNC fans might appreciate a player who apparently annoyed coach Mike Krzyzewski so much that he was the first player the coach ever dismissed during his Duke tenure, it's also tough to cheer for anyone who ever wore Duke blue. Add this to the fact that he could be a key piece on a tough contender next season, and Sulaimon won't have many friends during the Dec. 1 matchup.

BeeJay Anya, North Carolina State

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There will always be hatred between North Carolina and North Carolina State, but the biggest target might be a player who averaged only 4.5 points per game last season.

While Anthony "Cat" Barber could be one of the top guards in the conference next season, he is too fun to watch, making it hard to hate on him. However, the same cannot be said about the 295-pound (generously listed) forward BeeJay Anya.

Anya doesn't have a developed offensive game, but he is one of the top shot-blockers in the nation and can play a major role against teams that like to push the ball inside, like North Carolina. He is frustrating to play against thanks to his deceptively long wingspan, listed at 7'9", according to DraftExpress—this is unbelievable for a 6'9" athlete.

Seeing him hit the game-winning shot for the Wolfpack in the team's opening game in the NCAA tournament—which helped propel the Wolfpack to their Sweet 16 run—was also annoying for anyone hoping for North Carolina State to fail.

Even when he doesn't light up the stat sheet, Anya could have a major role next season and end up being something of a kryptonite against Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson.

Grayson Allen, Duke

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College basketball fans didn't see much of Grayson Allen last season, but he shined when the spotlight was on him in March. Despite averaging just 4.4 points per game as a freshman, he played a huge role in the national championship game, scoring 16 points against Wisconsin.

This was just a small preview of what could end up being a great career for Allen.

The former McDonald's All-American has great athleticism and the talent to be an elite perimeter scorer in his second season at Duke. When his production starts to match his ability, it could be a recipe for college basketball hatred.

At least, this is the opinion of Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, ESPN.com's C.L. Brown, Sports on Earth's Will Leitch and For the Win's Nate Scott, among others. Considering how much discussion there already is for a player who averaged just 9.2 minutes per game last season, things are set to get worse.

As the likely newest face of Duke basketball, Allen better be prepared for Tar Heels fans—and many others—to lay on the hatred.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round college basketball talk and more sports analysis.