North Carolina: Harrison Barnes and the 14 Best Big Men in Tar Heels History

The University of North Carolina has one of the most storied programs in history, so being thought of as one of the best big men in school history is quite a feat.

The Tar Heels have had all kinds of different big men come through Chapel Hill throughout their successful years.

From Antawn Jamison's high-flying ability to Tyler Hansbrough's, um, low-flying ability.

From the outside-oriented game of Sam Perkins to the inside-oriented game of Sean May.

From the outside defense of George Lynch to the inside defense of Brendan Haywood.

But how do these guys stack up against each other?          

14) Mitch Kupchak

Before becoming the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak was roaming the courts in Chapel Hill. 

In addition to averaging 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, Kupchak was an All-American and played on the gold medal-winning USA team at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. 

13) Bob McAdoo

Even though he only played one season at North Carolina, Bob McAdoo made a profound impact for the Tar Heels.

Before going on to have a very successful NBA career, McAdoo averaged 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds on his way to carrying UNC to a Final Four. 

Still though, his short stint leaves him near the bottom of this list. 

12) Eric Montross

Eric Montross isn't what you would describe as, say, athletic, but he had a very efficient career for the Tar Heels.

Montross averaged a modest 12 points and seven rebounds throughout his career, but he was always around 60 percent as a shooter. The two-time All-American (yes, two times) was a key part in North Carolina's 1993 national title.   

11) J.R. Reid

The highly-recruited J.R Reid didn't disappoint during his time at North Carolina. Reid, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 1986, averaged over 16 points and almost eight rebounds during his career.

Although he never had much success in the NBA, and never led Carolina to a Final Four (oh no!), Reid was always very explosive and very productive as a big man.  

10) Harrison Barnes

The young gun proved during his freshman season that he was well worth all of the preseason hype. 

Barnes, the No. 1 rated prospect by Scout and ESPN, got off to a slow start to the season but eventually proved he was the major weapon on a good North Carolina team. The 19-year-old averaged almost 16 points and six rebounds per game en route to an Elite Eight appearance.

Possibly even more spectacular, Barnes announced, during a time when most prospects with his skill bolt for the NBA after just one year, that he would return for his sophomore season. The future is bright for Barnes, and he should easily move up this list.  

9) Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace only stayed at North Carolina for two years, but they were impressive nonetheless. Sheed established himself as the most efficient shooter in Carolina history, with an astounding 63 percent shooting percentage for his career.

Sheed was named a second-team All-American and led the Tar Heels to a Final Four in 1995. He was only a true starter for one year, however, and that keeps him from climbing higher on the list.  

8) Billy Cunningham

Billy Cunningham played in a different era, so his numbers are a little skewed, but 24.8 points and 15.4 rebounds per game is nothing to shake a stick at.

During his four years at UNC, the Kangaroo Kid made the all-conference team three teams and won conference player of the year once.   

7) Brendan Haywood

Brendan Haywood was possibly the best interior defender to ever play at North Carolina. The school's career blocks leader was never overly impressive on the offensive end, but he averaged over two blocks per game during his career, including an astounding 3.2 his senior season. He also recorded the first triple-double in team history, recording 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. 

The newly crowned NBA champion had his share of success in Chapel Hill, as well. Haywood, a second team All-American, led North Carolina to three top three seeds and one Final Four appearance. 

6) George Lynch

George Lynch, while never an explosive scorer, was a big man who could guard nearly any position—and guard it well. 

Lynch averaged 12.5 points and almost eight rebounds per game during his career, but his true value was his defense. He averaged 1.7 steals per game on his way to putting himself in second place on Carolina's all-time steals list. For a man who often played power forward, that is awfully impressive.

During his senior season, Lynch led UNC to a national title on his way to being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. 

5) Sean May

Although he has been fairly disappointing in the NBA, Sean May was an absolute force in the middle during his time at North Carolina. 

May, who was a major part in turning around the school's major struggles of 2002, averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, over one steal and one block per game during his career.

His career culminated with a national championship, in which May was the tournament's MOP, during his junior year. May forewent his senior season, and if he would have stayed, he might have found himself higher on this list.   

4) Brad Daugherty

Brad Daugherty entered North Carolina as a meager 16-year-old, and as a result, didn't reach his full potential until his junior year.

During his last two seasons, Daugherty averaged 18.5 points and almost nine-and-a-half rebounds per game. He was a two-time all-conference selection, first-team All-American and led UNC to two Sweet 16's.

The seven-footer was named to the ACC 50th anniversary basketball team.

And, he looks good in a bow tie.  

3) Antawn Jamison

Although he saw a pretty disappointing end to his career, Antawn Jamison had a very productive time during his days in Chapel Hill.

Jamison was a part of that terrific Tar Heels team that was upset by Utah in the 1998 Final Four. After that season, Jamison took his talents to the NBA.

Despite the unfortunate ending, the NBA veteran established himself as one of the most electric Tar Heel big men of all time. Jamison averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game and was the national player of the year during the 1997-98 season.  

2) Sam Perkins

During his career at North Carolina, Sam Perkins averaged 16 points and almost nine rebounds, making him the third highest scorer and second best rebounder in school history.

Although he didn't shoot as many threes in college as he did during his pro career, Perkins established himself as one of the best shooting big men ever at UNC, as evidenced by his career 58 percent shooting mark.

During his first two years with the Tar Heels, "Big Smooth" was a major part of two national championship appearances. Perkins was named to the all-tournament team in 1981, and UNC won it all in 1982.  

1) Tyler Hansbrough

He was never flashy, but Tyler Hansbrough got it done for the Heels day in and day out, cementing himself throughout the school's record books.

During his four years at UNC, Hansbrough averaged over 20 points and almost nine rebounds per game, making him the all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

After winning a national championship in 2005, North Carolina famously lost a whole lot of talent, but Hansbrough came in and managed to keep them nationally relevant. Hansbrough led UNC to four tournaments and a national title his senior year. Once he left, the Heels had arguably one of the worst seasons in school history, failing to reach the tournament for just the third time in almost 40 years.

UNC might never see a player like Tyler Hansbrough, who had a rare blend of skill, dedication and determination, ever again.