By R.L. Bynum
If a Carolina player wanted to “Be Like Mike,” Tar Heels coach Michael Malone would undoubtedly be delighted if they played like Michael Jordan.
Just don’t call him Mike.
The legendary Tar Heel starred in the ad campaign, originally airing in 1991. It became famous enough that, decades later, ESPN still described it as “one of the most famous commercials of all time.”
Malone, though, has made it clear that he prefers to be called “Michael.”
That preference drew national attention during the 2021 NBA playoffs when Malone was the coach of the Denver Nuggets. He corrected ESPN sideline reporter Cassidy Hubbarth after she referred to him as “Mike,” emphasizing that he goes by “Michael.”
Malone later apologized to Hubbarth for the on-air exchange.
Jordan was listed as “Mike Jordan” in the 1981–82 UNC men’s basketball media guide. He was introduced as “Mike Jordan” before his first college game against Kansas. Long before Jordan hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 national championship game against Georgetown, he was going by “Michael.”
So, when referring to the Hall of Fame Carolina legend (despite the Gatorade ad campaign) and the man who will lead the new era of Carolina basketball, go with “Michael.”
More on Malone
— Malone expected to make Chuck Martin, noted as excellent recruiter, his associate head coach
— Nuggets coach says Malone ‘perfect’ for job; Jokić says Heels will play ‘right way’
— Read Michael Malone’s contract to be UNC’s men’s basketball coach
— Persistent Newmark wouldn’t take no for an answer from Malone
— Malone says UNC will play tough defense, rebound and be unselfish
— Malone reflects on Davis’ kindness last season, grace in transition
— Five reasons why Michael Malone isn’t ‘Bill Belichick 2.0’
— Six early priorities for Malone at UNC
— Thad Williamson: Still Carolina? So it seems
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Roster assuming all players with eligibility other than Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar and the seven players who entered the transfer portal return, which would put UNC one under the 15-player limit. The class for next season is listed.
| 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 |
| Walk-ons | |||||
| 25 | Junior | John Holbrook | 4 | 6–8 | 230 |
| 32 | Senior | Evan Smith | 2 | 6–1 | 195 |
W — Northwestern transfer. X — Virginia Tech transfer; Y — N.C. State transfer; Z — Utah transfer
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 so far
(Other than the ACC/SEC Challenge, games without links revealed from reporting by Alex Rosinski or Rocco Miller)
(11 of 14 games)
Nov. 2 — vs. Western Carolina
Nov. 6 — vs. Wofford
Nov. 10 — vs. Wyoming
Nov. 13 — vs. Georgia
Nov. 20 — vs. Marshall
Nov. 27 — vs. West Virginia at the Dick Vitale Invitational at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center
Dec. 1 — vs. Arkansas in ACC/SEC Challenge
Dec. 12 — at Georgetown
Dec. 19 — vs. Kentucky in CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden, 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 — vs. The Citadel
November or December — vs. Butler
ACC games
Home and away: Duke, Louisville
Home only: California, Georgia Tech, Miami, N.C. State, SMU, Stanford, Virginia
Away only: Boston College, Florida State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Photo via @UNC_Basketball
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