By R.L. Bynum
In Chapel Hill, jersey numbers are more than just identifiers. They’re heirlooms that hang from the Smith Center rafters after legendary Tar Heels wear them.
Each number stitched onto a Carolina blue uniform carries echoes of past players, championship runs and unforgettable moments. For this season’s team, the numbers they wear link them to legends, role players and stories that span generations.
Montenegrin junior wing Luka Bogavac inherits the most storied number on this season’s roster — No. 44, which hangs in the rafters as honored for Justin Jackson, Larry Miller, Dennis Wuycik and Tyler Zeller.
Here’s a look at the roster, and the legacy behind each number:
0 — Kyan Evans
The Colorado State transfer guard becomes the 8th Tar Heel to wear No. 0.
Most recently worn by Ty Claude (2024–25), the number’s most notable bearer is Nate Britt, a key contributor to the 2017 national championship team.
Others are Jesse Holley, Joel James, Seventh Woods, Anthony Harris and Seth Trimble, who now wears No. 7.
1 — Zayden High
High is back with the same number he wore two seasons ago and is the 6th player to wear No. 1, following Leaky Black (2018–23), whose defensive prowess defined UNC’s identity for five seasons.
Theo Pinson and Dexter Strickland brought flair and grit to the number, while Marcus Ginyard and Melvin Scott added steady leadership.
2 — James Brown
Brown is part of a star-studded lineage as the 10th player to wear No. 2.
From Raymond Felton to Wayne Ellington, Joel Berry II, Caleb Love, Coby White and Cole Anthony, this number has been worn by some of UNC’s most dynamic guards. Also wearing that number were Marc Campbell and Leslie McDonald. Ellington only wore No. 2 as a freshman before switching to No. 22 as a sophomore and a junior, and has that number honored.
Elliot Cadeau wore it two seasons ago before switching to No. 3 last season.
3 — Derek Dixon
The freshman guard becomes the 24th Tar Heel to wear No. 3.
Kennedy Meeks and Shammond Williams stand out among a long list that includes current Assistant Coach Pat Sullivan, Reyshawn Terry and Cormac Ryan. Others to wear it were John Rainey, Jimmy Howard, Soc Creitcos, Don Wilson, Herbert Porter, Clive Thompson, Taylor Thorne, Charlie Thorne, Irving Turk, Jeff Denny, Pat Sullivan, Vasco Evtimov, Brian Morrison, Daniel Bolick, Wade Moody, Andrew Platek and Dontrez Styles.
Cadeau wore it last season after switching from No. 2.
4 – Jayden Young
The Virginia Tech transfer is the 26th player to wear No. 4, which RJ Davis wore for five impactful seasons.
Isaiah Hicks also made his mark with this number on the 2017 national championship team.
The list includes names from UNC’s early days, like Jim McCachren and Foy Grubb, all the way to Bobby Frasor and Brandon Robinson. Others to wear No. 4 were Pete Mullis, Bill Watson, Wray Lewis, Dan Marks, Lewis Hayworth, Vic Seixas, Buster Stevenson, Bob Paxton, Bill White, Charlie Thorne, Lynwood Robinson, James Daye, Kenny Harris, Larry Davis, David Neal, Makhtar Ndiaye, Scott Williams, Brooks Foster and Luke Davis.
5 — Isaiah Denis
The freshman guard becomes UNC’s 27th player to wear No. 5, which Cade Tyson wore last season.
This number has been worn by stars such as Armando Bacot, Ty Lawson (jersey honored), Jackie Manuel, Kendall Marshall, Jeff McInnis, Marcus Paige and Dexter Strickland.
Others to wear the number were Stuart Aiken, Crowell Little, Foy Roberson, Julian Smith, Ed Antolini, Lew Hayworth, George Paine, Don Anderson, Ira Norfolk, Larry James, Vic Seixas, Dan Nyimicz, Marion Godwin, Richard Patterson, Henrik Rödl, Tony Bradley, Jalek Felton and Nassir Little.
6 — Elijah Davis
Davis is the 11th player to wear No. 6 — a number rarely seen in program history.
It was last worn by Hal Ferraro in the late 1940s. Dick Hartley, UNC’s first All-American in 1924, is the most distinguished No. 6. Even the most intense Carolina basketball historian — except for possibly Freddie Kiger — probably couldn’t name the others to wear that number: Earle Beale, Pete Mullis, Foy Grubb, Julian Smith, Ed Shytle, Walter Markin, Marx Nathan and Buster Stevenson. Few will also likely remember the history of No. 7 or No. 8.
7 — Seth Trimble
Trimble is the 11th player to wear No. 7, which he switched to after wearing No. 0 as a freshman.
Jim McCachren, a multi-sport athlete, is the most notable name to wear the number, last worn by Simon Terrell in 1950.
The others: Dave McCachren, Earl Ruth, Bobby Gersten, Edgar Lougee, P.A. Lee, Jim White, Don Anderson and Mervin Cole
8 — Caleb Wilson
Wilson is the 11th player to wear No. 8, last worn by Paxson Wojcik (2023–24).
Jim Jordan, whose jersey is honored in the Smith Center, is the standout among past wearers.
The others: Ike Manor, Earl Ruth, Bill McCachren, Bob Rose, Barney Poole, Jim Hamilton, Rip Ryan and Richard Patterson
11 — Jonathan Powell
The West Virginia transfer becomes the 31st Tar Heel to wear No. 11.
Larry Brown (whose jersey is honored) and Brice Johnson are the headliners, with Johnson earning All-American honors and leading UNC to the 2016 title game. The number has a deep bench of contributors, including Quentin Thomas, Larry Drew II and Day’Ron Sharpe.
The others: Morrie Long, George Stirnweiss, Paul Severin, Lewis Hayworth, Dick Garvin, Jim White, Harvey Weinstein, John Tsantes, Richard Patterson, Wayne Harpold, Charles Ellenwood, Ken Rosemond, John Crotty, Ray Hassell, Gerald Tuttle, John Austin, Tony Shaver, Keith Valentine, Mike Pepper, Rodney Hyatt, Scott Cherry, Michael Brooker, Stilman White, Shea Rush and D’Marco Dunn
13 — Henri Veesaar
The Arizona transfer center is the 25th player to wear No. 13, which Jalen Washington wore the last three seasons.
John Dillon, whose jersey is honored, leads a group that includes Dick Grubar, Ademola Okulaja, Cameron Johnson and Steve Previs.
The others: Virgil Weathers, Frank Cuneo, Ed Shytle, Ellis Freedman, Bernie Mock, Benton Bennett, Bill White, Vince Grimaldi, Ian Morrison, Brad Hoffman, Neil Fingleton, Will Graves, Van Hatchell, J.P. Tokoto, Kanler Coker, Jeremiah Francis, Walker Kessler and Dawson Garcia
15 — Jarin Stevenson
The Alabama transfer is the 32nd player to wear No. 15, last worn by walk-on John Holbrook last season. Holbrook switched to No. 25 this season, undoubtedly to allow Stevenson to wear the number he had worn in the previous two seasons for the Crimson Tide.
Vince Carter (jersey honored), Shammond Williams and Garrison Brooks brought star power to the number. Bones McKinney, an ACC legend as a player and coach, also wore it.
The others: Frank Ramsey, Andy Bershak, Hank Feimster, Reid Suggs, Bob Altemose, Boyce Box, Bill Voris, Jack Fitch, Hank Lebed, Hugo Kappler, Bill Smith, Vince Grimaldi, Willis Henderson, John Kuester, Brian Ellerby, Courtney Dupree, Jason Burgess, Kenny White, Damien Price, Charlie Everett, Dewey Burke, J.B. Tanner, Leslie McDonald, Stewart Cooper, P.J. Hairston and Rob Landry
25 — John Holbrook
Holbrook is the 16th player to wear No. 25, last worn by Creighton Lebo (2020–23).
Steve Hale is the most accomplished, known for his steady play in the 1980s, and
J.P. Tokoto and Jason Capel also wore the number.
The others: Jippy Carter, Albert Long, James Smith, Donnie Smith, Randy Wiel, Jason Capel, Damion Grant, Justin Knox, Justin Coleman, Aaron Rohlman and Caleb Ellis
32 — Evan Smith
The walk-on becomes the 24th player to wear No. 32, previously worn by James Okonkwo (2023–24).
Hall of Famer Billy Cunningham and Rashad McCants both have their jerseys honored. Luke Maye added his name to the legacy with clutch performances and All-ACC honors.
The others: Leonard Guyes, Frank Redding, Bob Phillips, Gerry McCabe, Bob Cunningham, Lou Brown, Peppy Callahan, Mark Mirken, Dave Chadwick, Darrell Elston, Tom Zaliagiris, Eric Kenny, John Brownlee, Orlando Melendez, Alex Stepheson, Ed Davis, D.J. Johnston, Justin Pierce and Pete Nance
40 — Ivan Matlekovic
Matlekovic is the 17th player to wear No. 40.
Tommy Kearns (a member of the 1957 national championship team), Joseph Forte, and Harrison Barnes all have honored jerseys, and Coach Hubert Davis also wore the number.
The others: Dick Kocornik, Yogi Poteet, Bill Harrison, Earl Johnson, Donnie Moe, Ricky Webb, Bill Chambers, Donn Johnston, Bruce Buckley, Gary Roper, Ed Geth and Mike Copeland
44 — Luka Bogavac
Bogavac is the 15th player to wear No. 44, last worn by Justin Jackson (2014–17).
Jackson, Larry Miller, Dennis Wuycik and Tyler Zeller all have their numbers honored, and Rick Fox also stands out.
The others: Tony Radovich, Mike Steppe, Bryan McSweeney, Mark Mirken, Donald Washington, Eric Harry, Matt Doherty, Clyde Lynn and Will Johnson
Each season, there are seven numbers unavailable to any player because they are retired: No. 10 for Lennie Rosenbluth, No. 12 for Phil Ford, No. 20 for George Glamack, No. 23 for Michael Jordan, No. 33 for Antawn Jamison, No. 50 for Tyler Hansbrough and No. 52 for James Worthy.
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| No./ Stars | Class | Player | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 star | Freshman | Maximo Adams | SF | 6–7 | 205 |
| 3 star | Freshman | Malloy Smith | CG | 6–5 | 190 |
| 5 star | Freshman | Sayon Keita | C | 7–0 | 215 |
| 4 star | Freshman | Kevin Thomas | W | 6–7 | 190 |
| Freshman | Alexandros Samodurov | C | 6–11 | 212 | |
| RS freshman | Cade Bennerman — W | C | 7–0 | 205 | |
| Sophomore | Neoklis Avdalas — X | G | 6–9 | 215 | |
| Sophomore | Isaiah Denis | G | 6–4 | 180 | |
| Sophomore | Matt Able — Y | G | 6–5 | 196 | |
| 1 | Senior | Terrence Brown — Z | G | 6–3 | 174 |
| 4 | Senior | Jaydon Young | G | 6–4 | 200 |
| 15 | Senior | Jarin Stevenson | 4 | 6–10 | 215 |
| Graduate | Angelo Brizzi — ZZ | 2 | 6–3 | 193 | |
| Walk-ons | |||||
| 25 | Junior | John Holbrook — SA | 4 | 6–8 | 230 |
| 32 | Senior | Evan Smith | 2 | 6–1 | 195 |
W — Northwestern transfer; X — Virginia Tech transfer; Y — ZZ N.C. State transfer; Z — Utah transfer; ZZ — Buffalo transfer; SA — Holbrook is a designated student-athlete, so he doesn’t count against UNC’s 15-player limit.
Michael Malone’s coaching staff: Chuck Martin, Bryan Tibaldi, Sean May and Pat Sullivan; Deon Thompson will be a graduate assistant, and Brandon Robinson will reportedly have a support staff position.
Players who left for the transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Bogavac | Senior | W | 6–6 | 215 | Oklahoma State |
| James Brown | Senior | C | 6–10 | 240 | Howard |
| Derek Dixon | Sophomore | G | 6–5 | 200 | Arizona |
| Kyan Evans | Senior | G | 6–2 | 175 | Minnesota |
| Zayden High | Junior | C | 6–10 | 230 | South Florida |
| Jonathan Powell | Junior | G | 6–6 | 190 | Pittsburgh |
| Ivan Matlekovic | Junior | C | 7–0 | 255 |
Schedule revealed so far
| Date | Month/day | Opponent/event (final ranks) |
|---|---|---|
| October | ||
| 18 | Sunday | vs. Indiana in Indianapolis (exhibition) |
| November | ||
| 2 | Monday | vs. Western Carolina |
| 6 | Friday | vs. Wofford |
| 10 | Tuesday | vs. Wyoming |
| 13 | Friday | vs. Georgia |
| 20 | Friday | vs. Marshall |
| 27 | Friday | vs. West Virginia in Charlotte |
| December | ||
| 1 | Tuesday | ACC/SEC Challenge vs. No. 13 Arkansas |
| 6 | Sunday | vs. Butler |
| 12 | Saturday | at Georgetown |
| 15 | Tuesday (date tentative) | vs. N.C. State in Greensboro |
| 19 | 2:30 Saturday | CBS Sports Classic vs. Kentucky in New York |
| 21 | Monday | vs. The Citadel |
| January | ||
| 30 | Saturday | vs. No. 5 Illinois in Nashville, Tenn. |
ACC games
Home and away: Duke and Louisville
Home only: California, Georgia Tech, Miami, N.C. State, SMU, Stanford and Virginia
Away only: Boston College, Florida State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest
Photo via @UNC_Basketball
Wayne Ellington wore #22
You are correct. He wore No. 22 as a sophomore and a junior. But he wore No. 2 as a freshman.