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Articles by Luke Sugar
UNC football legend Julius Peppers earns a spot on ESPN's All-Quarter Century Team
The former Tar Heel and first-ballot Hall of Famer was honored on this prestigious 53-man roster. Being great for a handful of NFL seasons is an accomplishment in itself. But being great for over a decade? Being recognized as one of the most dominant players of your generation? Now that’s an area reserved only for the best of the best. Julius Peppers is one of those rare talents who have trespassed into the territory of generational success — a realm of NFL royalty.
UNC basketball legend Jawad Williams set to join the Cavaliers' coaching staff
The 2005 national champion is headed home to Cleveland. Former Tar Heel and member of the 2005 juggernaut national championship squad, Jawad Williams, hits a big career milestone, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach. This move for Williams marks a full-circle moment for the Ohio native. Williams was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio — a suburb of Cleveland — and he attended St. Edward High School, also located in Ohio.
Drake Powell's draft stock is skyrocketing following NBA Draft early entry withdrawl
Check out where the latest mock drafts from various sites have Powell landing. After the NCAA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline on Wednesday, May 28, at 11:59 p.m., a wave of talented young hoopers withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft, opting to return to college. As Carolina Nation knows, former Tar Heel Drake Powell was not among that group of athletes returning to college, instead pursuing his life-long dream of playing in the NBA.
Former Tar Heel Tony Bradley chases his first NBA championship
If the Pacers can upset the Thunder, Bradley joins a short list of players who have won both an NCAA Division I Basketball and NBA championship. Each season is no different for North Carolina basketball. At an iconic program like UNC, national championships have always been the standard. However, the UNC basketball program also strives to develop its student-athletes, positioning them to succeed at the next level. And there’s no bigger form of success than an NBA championship.
Bill Belichick lands another key offensive weapon from the transfer portal
Meet the newest member of North Carolina’s wide receiver room. If there’s any lesson to be learned from UNC football’s offseason, it’s that kids want to play for Head Coach Bill Belichick. On Sunday afternoon, coach Belichick and his staff reeled in another transfer portal addition. Former Tennessee Volunteers and Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Nathan Leacock will head to Chapel Hill and play in the Carolina Argyle this season.
Drake Powell impresses during his CAA Pro Day workout
The former Tar Heel continues raising his stock for the upcoming NBA Draft. From the very instant Drake Powell stepped foot on campus as a freshman last summer, it was crystal clear that he was built for the pros. Powell’s exceptional NBA Combine measurements and impressive pre-draft workouts only further confirm the very bright NBA career ahead of him. Friday afternoon, the former Tar Heel was featured by Swish Cultures during his CAA Pro Day workout in front of various NBA teams.
Former UNC women’s basketball assistant coach Adrian Walters makes career move
Walters is hired as the associate head coach of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball program. Once a part of the Carolina family, always a part of the Carolina family. This mantra rings true for Adrian Walters — former UNC women’s basketball assistant coach — as he begins the next chapter of his career as the associate head coach for Texas Tech women’s basketball. Walters coached under head coach Courtney Banghart each of his five seasons at Chapel Hill.
Amare Campbell is set to visit a reigning College Football Playoff semifinalist
Losing the standout sophomore is a big blow to the UNC defense, but how has Coach Belichick moved forward? Once a Tar Heel, always a Tar Heel. And so, while UNC star Amare Campbell entering the transfer portal stings, that statement rings true for the linebacker. The Manassas, Virginia native put together a stellar sophomore campaign last season for North Carolina. With senior All-ACC edge-rusher Kaimon Rucker battling injuries and sidelined for over half of the season, Campbell stepped up big time.
UNC Football Class of 2026 running back commit reclassifies to 2025
The Tar Heels' four-star recruit is headed to Chapel Hill a season early. During the biggest moment of his athletic career, former Tar Heel Omarion Hampton heard his name announced 22nd overall Thursday night in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the star running back on his way to play for the Los Angeles Chargers, North Carolina football has massive shoes to fill in their backfield. Hampton is a versatile, one-of-a-kind back that single-handedly carried UNC to victory on several occasions.
UNC Football set to host a defensive lineman transfer on a visit
The Tar Heels desperately need to beef up their defensive line for next season. North Carolina football loses their top 10 — yes 10 — sack leaders from last season. In fact, the UNC football program had 12 players who recorded at least a 0.5 sack last season, and UNC currently returns just one of those players. Rising junior and stud defensive back Kaleb Cost is North Carolina’s leading returning sack leader, with just a 0.5 sack a season ago. What does all this mean?
UNC Football adds some much needed-depth to their backfield
The Tar Heels land a running back with three years of eligibility out of the transfer portal. It's essentially impossible to replace a guy like Omarion Hampton. The First-Team All-ACC star was everything you’d want in a running back. Standing 6-feet, 220-pounds and strong as an ox with 4.46 40-yard dash speed, Hampton is the full package. He’s even been projected as high as No. 10 in some NFL mock drafts.
UNC Basketball set to host a potential transfer point guard option for a visit
A Power 5 point guard in the transfer portal has scheduled a visit to Chapel Hill. North Carolina checked off their biggest portal priority by landing 7-footer Henri Veesaar from Arizona. But now, the Tar Heels are in hot pursuit of their next biggest need: landing a starting point guard. Last season, North Carolina faced problems with a thin frontcourt and an overcrowded backcourt.
UNC Women’s Basketball looks to the transfer portal for a true post presence
Have the Tar Heels found their next starting center and replacement for Maria Gakdeng? After North Carolina’s tough Sweet 16 loss to archrival Duke, UNC now pivots to offseason mode. With Alyssa Ustby, Maria Gakdeng, Lexi Donarski, and Grace Townsend out of eligibility, North Carolina loses a large portion of its scoring, rebounding, and experience. The Tar Heels need to reload in the transfer portal, bringing in several starter-quality pieces for next season.
UNC Basketball interested in one of the biggest names in the transfer portal
Can the Tar Heels get their foot in the door for the combo guard who’s one of the most sought after transfer targets? Positional size and three-point shooting are two desperate portal needs for the Tar Heels. But what if North Carolina could solve both of those problems with one player? Well, maybe they can. With Elliot Cadeau out the door, Ian Jackson’s future at Chapel Hill up in the air, and RJ Davis aging out, UNC needs a major guard overhaul during this offseason.
UNC Basketball adds another transfer portal target to their watchlist
Could the Tar Heels have found their 3-point specialist for the 2025-2026 season? Aside from March Madness, transfer portal season is the most wild, hectic and exciting time of college hoops. In this new age of NIL, there are more moving parts than ever before on college basketball rosters. Not only are players looking for a coach, system and teammates that fit their needs, but players are also often searching for the biggest payday they can land.
Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. call out Orlando Magic teammate Cole Anthony
The former Blue Devils make an uneducated joke targeted at Anthony’s UNC days. There’s nothing like some friendly competition between teammates. It’s only natural for teammates to joke around with one another and egg each other on from time to time. But when that friendly competition becomes illogical, uneducated, or toxic, it’s gone too far. The Carolina-Duke rivalry is in a league of its own.
UNC basketball set to host a slew of high school recruits for Duke rivalry game
Which other targeted prospects are the Tar Heels hosting during their Senior Night versus the Blue Devils? Tonight’s the night where all televisions tune into the biggest, best, most-historic rivalry in all of college basketball — North Carolina-Duke. Playing in a game of this national magnitude is a dream for countless young hoops stars, which is why all three Class of 2025 UNC commits, and a handful of targeted recruits, will be in the Dean Dome tonight.
Four North Carolina Tar Heels to receive postgraduate scholarships from the ACC
Four Tar Heels are honored among this prestigious group of student-athletes. Every year, one of the most important ACC traditions is recognizing the success of its student-athletes, both in their academics and in their athletics. As reported by theacc.com, “The ACC has selected postgraduate scholarship recipients annually since 1971.
UNC Women’s Basketball beats rival NC State in a gutsy one-point victory
The two ranked teams left it all on the floor, but UNC prevailed on their home court in heartstopping fashion. The Tar Heels secured their biggest win of the season, outlasting their rivals NC State 66-65 during a special game, which supported the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. A sold-out Carmichael Arena was decked out in pink, and the UNC women's basketball program was rocking jerseys with pink argyle in celebration of Play4Kay, which honors legendary women’s college basketball coach Sandra Kay Yow.
UNC Women’s Basketball hosts NC State for high-stakes, ranked rivalry matchup
The rivals will also support Play4Kay and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund during their game. It doesn’t get any better than this — a heated, in-state, ranked rivalry matchup. The No. 12-ranked Tar Heels host No. 10 NC State in a clash between two top dogs in the ACC. North Carolina looks to defend Carmichael Arena during this historic, heavy-weight bought. A Tar Heel victory would have the Carolina faithful rocking and give UNC annual bragging rights over the Wolfpack.
UNC Basketball aims for a bounce-back performance on the road against Syracuse
The season looks bleak for the Tar Heels, and they need to start stringing wins together fast. Even the most ‘glass half full’ UNC fans will have trouble spinning this season in a positive light. Unfortunately, things look pretty bleak for the Tar Heels. North Carolina is 1-10 in Quad 1 games — one of the most important metrics used by the Selection Committee. And to make matters even worse, only one team ever — yes, ever — has made March Madness with ten Quad 1 losses. Let that sink in.
Where does Bill Belichick rank among the top 25 coaches heading into the 2025 season?
Did North Carolina Head Coach Bill Belichick make the list before his first college season? Ranking coaches in any sport is no easy task, but ranking college football coaches might be the toughest of all. College football has so many moving and evolving parts on a roster. There are far more players to coordinate in football than in any other sport. Coaches must navigate the new age of NIL, seamlessly uniting their recruits, transfers, and returnees.
UNC Basketball has their hands full in first meeting with the team from Durham
The Tar Heels head to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday for their toughest test yet. The major takeaway for North Carolina from the last two weeks: this season has spiraled completely out of control. In their last four games, the UNC basketball program is 1-3 — losing to Stanford by one, losing to Wake Forest by one, beating Boston College in overtime and losing to Pitt by eight. Quite frankly, this is not up to the Carolina standard.
Willie Lampkin among the standouts at the 2025 Senior Bowl
The senior interior offensive lineman was one of the top performers on Senior Bowl Day 2. Each year, the Senior Bowl is a prime national spotlight for up-and-coming NFL prospects to showcase their skill and bolster their draft stock. The ‘Reese’s Senior Bowl’ is designed to feature high-pedigree NFL prospects who have exhausted their college eligibility. speaks to the significant opportunity provided by the Senior Bowl.
UNC Women’s Basketball hosts Florida State amidst a five-game winning streak
The Tar Heels celebrate Alumni Day and National Girls and Women in Sports Day prior to their game. North Carolina women’s basketball is cruising through a stacked ACC, riding a five-game winning streak into their game tomorrow versus Florida State. The No. 13-ranked Tar Heels kicked off their winning streak back on January 9 when they defeated Duke 53-46 in overtime.
UNC Basketball sees tournament hopes fading after loss at Wake Forest
The Tar Heels face heartbreak once again, losing yet another key ACC game. In a do-or-die game at Wake Forest, the UNC basketball program faced heartbreak once again and is seeing their tournament hopes slipping away. North Carolina comes up short, losing to the Demon Deacons 67-66. Like so many times prior to this, UNC was unable to get the job done, ending up on the wrong side of a close game. The Tar Heels fall to 12-8 on the season and 5-3 in the ACC.
UNC Basketball travels to Wake Forest in hopes of ending struggles in Winston-Salem
The Tar Heels take on the Demon Deacons in a Quad 1 game. The UNC basketball program just passed the halfway mark of their season, and the Tar Heels already find themselves in must-win territory. Time is of the essence for the Tar Heels since opportunities to bolster a resume don’t come very often in a weak ACC. This matchup versus Wake Forest is a Quad 1 game for North Carolina. As it stands, UNC only has six remaining Quad 1 games in ACC play — making each one all the more important.
UNC Football makes final five list for this 2026 recruit
The ascending wide receiver would be a great addition for the Tar Heels. Head Coach Bill Belichick has been on a tear during his short tenure at North Carolina. Whether it’s reeling in big-time recruits, landing high-quality transfers, or bringing buzz to the football program, Belichick has been busy. In the most recent news on the UNC football recruiting trail, the Tar Heels made the final five list for 2026 wide receiver Landon Dowden.
UNC Basketball staff was on the road to see this elite 2026 big man
The five-star junior would be a massive addition to the Tar Heels’ future front court. Fans of the UNC basketball program will be encouraged to see the Tar Heels hitting the road to take a look at elite, up-and-coming big man prospect Toni Bryant. The five-star high school junior would be a massive addition to the Tar Heels’ future front court. Jamie Shaw — Senior National Recruiting Analyst at On3 — announced the Tar Heels went to North Tampa Christian Academy on Monday night to watch Bryant play.
UNC Women’s Basketball hosts Boston College on Rameses’ birthday
The Tar Heels look to follow up their gutsy win over Duke with another ACC win. The UNC women's basketball team picked up the sweetest win of the season, with a 53-46 overtime victory over Duke on Thursday. The Tar Heels and Blue Devils were notched at 16 apiece, before UNC exploded on a 16-0 run in the 3rd quarter to double up Duke. Even though the Blue Devils clawed their way back and forced OT, UNC defended homecourt in a thriller — sending Duke packing for that 10-mile drive to Durham.
Michael Lombardi on Bill Belichick: "Completely committed. 1000% committed"
Lombardi appeared on the Pat McAfee Show today, and his update will make UNC fans smile. The wild, swirling rumors of UNC Football Head Coach Bill Belichick already looking towards the NFL — potentially teaming up with Tom Brady and the Raiders — were swiftly shut down by UNC Football GM Michael Lombardi. Pat McAfee, host of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, interviewed Lombardi earlier today.
Hubert Davis provided an update regarding Seth Trimble's status
Will the breakout UNC star be back in action soon? Seth Trimble missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury during the UNC basketball program's much needed win at Notre Dame. However, North Carolina's margin for error the rest of the way this season is razor thin, and the Tar Heels need Trimble back to be at their best. Michael Koh — sports writer and reporter for WCHL & Chapelboro — announced Head Coach Hubert Davis’ update on Trimble.
UNC Basketball hopes to ring in the new year right as they travel to Louisville
North Carolina may have temporarily saved their season with their win over UCLA, but the Tar Heels still need to coast through ACC play to secure a respectable seed come March. The UNC basketball program is heading into 2025 on a two-game winning streak, securing a signature win over the Bruins and taking care of business versus Campbell. Can UNC keep their momentum rolling into their New Year’s Day game at Louisville — and into the heart of their season during ACC play?
The UNC basketball program is set to visit one of the top Class of 2026 talents
The five-star junior is one of the top guards in the Class of 2026. By Luke Sugar | 5:56 PM EST The UNC basketball program currently has one of the deepest guard groups in the nation. However, with RJ Davis aging out, Ian Jackson and Drake Powell looking like possible first-round picks, and the uncertainty of Elliot Cadeau or Seth Trimble’s NBA future, it’s never too soon to start pursuing the next generation of UNC guards.
UNC Basketball slides right out of the latest AP Top 25 Poll
During their struggles, exactly how far did the Tar Heels drop? By Luke Sugar | 2:42 PM EST As expected, the UNC basketball program dropped out of the Week 6 AP Top 25 Poll. North Carolina needs to turn this season around fast — as they’re off to their worst start since 2001-2002. Not only are the Tar Heels unranked, but a whopping 16 unranked teams received more votes than UNC. The team just outside the Top 25 receiving the most votes was Baylor, with 150.
Danny Green earns a contract extension to continue broadcasting career with ESPN
The former Tar Heel receives a contract extension from ESPN. By Luke Sugar | 6:00 PM EST Whether it’s Coby White and Cam Johnson blossoming in the NBA, Kenny Smith on the award-winning Inside the NBA show, Vince Carter as an NBA studio analyst, or Danny Green receiving a contract extension from ESPN, it’s always encouraging having Tar Heel representation in the professional sports industry.
UNC football commit Bryce Baker making an official visit elsewhere this weekend
With Mack Brown being let go and out of the picture at North Carolina, the UNC football program's recruiting process gets a little complicated. The upcoming Class of 2025 UNC recruits envisioned playing for Brown. And so it makes sense for some North Carolina commits to revisit their recruitment. Class of 2025, four-star quarterback Bryce Baker is among the list of North Carolina commits who want to think over their recruitment.
UNC Basketball surprisingly drops two spots in the latest AP Top 25 Poll
In college basketball, it pays to peak late in the season — in March, and hopefully April. November play hardly holds any weight in crowning a college basketball champion. The favorites, sleepers, and Cinderellas will certainly shake up between now and March Madness. Nonetheless, it’s always fun monitoring the AP Poll, which can be a useful tool in giving a snapshot of a team’s performance. In the most recent men’s college basketball AP Poll, released this afternoon, the Tar Heels came in at No. 12.
Joe Lunardi puts UNC basketball in a brutal region in his latest Bracketology update
There’s no sports tournament more chaotic, exciting and unpredictable than March Madness. And there’s no American sport with a wider field of teams than March Madness’ 68 — making things all the more interesting. Buzzer beaters, Cinderella stories, and classic heavy-weight battles happen every year during March and early April. We never know who will win March Madness, but we do know we’re in for a treat every time we tune in.
Omarion Hampton once again named the ACC Running Back of the Week
The Tar Heels’ star shined in his team's victory over Wake Forest. By Luke Sugar | 7:17 PM EST Omarion Hampton keeps on adding to his legendary Tar Heels legacy, racking up the accolades. Hampton was named the Week 12 ACC Running Back of the Week after his monster game versus Wake Forest.
Cole Anthony named as NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for October
For the members of the UNC basketball program, being a high-character person is just as important as being a successful athlete. Former Tar Heel Cole Anthony exemplifies what it means to be both a considerate person and an accomplished athlete. Anthony, a point guard on the Orlando Magic, was named October's NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner.
Mack Brown discusses the future of running back Caleb Hood
There's a plan in place for Hood, who has battled injuries throughout his UNC Football career. By Luke Sugar | 7:37 AM EST Senior running back Caleb Hood has battled his fair share of injuries in a North Carolina uniform. However, this isn’t the end of the road for Hood, and he’ll put on his pads for one more season. Head Coach Mack Brown announced on Monday that Hood will redshirt, per Tar Heel Illustrated. The plan is for Hood to return to the UNC football program for the 2025 season.
Will Cade Tyson be the sharpshooter the UNC Basketball program needs?
The UNC basketball program is all-in on being one of the fastest, highest-scoring teams in the nation. If the Tar Heels hope to play this brand of basketball, they’ll need to fly up and down the floor and light it up from the perimeter. Good thing junior forward Cade Tyson has made a name for himself shooting the ball. Although he hasn’t shown it in a Carolina uniform yet, Tyson has been one of the nation’s deadliest three-point shooters.
Nikolas Khamenia is set to make his college decision, but...
Khamenia is a no-go for North Carolina, but the Tar Heels are still pursuing several other elite forwards in the Class of 2025. By Luke Sugar | 6:16 PM EDT Nikolas Khamenia cut his list to three teams before his commitment tomorrow, and North Carolina was not one of them. Adam Finkelstein, the Director of Scouting at 247Sports, reported this afternoon that Khamenia will be choosing between Gonzaga, UCLA and Duke.
What will Hubert Davis get from Vanderbilt big man transfer Ven-Allen Lubin?
Hubert Davis has made his bread and butter in the transfer portal during his time as the UNC basketball program's head coach. In the 2021-2022 season — coach Davis’ first year as head coach — star transfer Brady Manek was a key reason the Tar Heels made it to the championship game. Without Manek, that magical run in March wouldn’t have happened. He was the perfect piece to round out the iconic “Iron Five” lineup for the Tar Heels.
What's different about this year's UNC basketball team? RJ Davis has the answer
The UNC basketball star weighs in on this team's strengths and playstyle. By Luke Sugar | 10:39 AM EDT RJ Davis laid out the blueprint for this year’s UNC basketball squad. Jamie Shaw, the National Basketball Recruiting Analyst at On3, covered a press conference with Davis, during which Davis spoke on this team's uniqueness. When asked about the biggest differences of this year’s group compared to year's past, Davis mentioned athleticism, speed, and floor-spacing.
Did any of the UNC basketball freshmen make Andy Katz's top-10 list?
Men’s college basketball analyst Andy Katz continued his series of preseason lists, naming his top-10 freshmen. The list was full of electrifying first-years — many of whom could hear their names called in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
UNC football early injury report before Duke: Who’s healthy and who’s sidelined?
Heading into their matchup at Duke, the UNC football program has at least one player returning to action and some sidelined with lingering injuries. Mack Brown provided the injury updates during his weekly press conference on Monday morning. Per UNC: Nate McCollum should be back; Darwin Barlow is out; Christian Hamilton out a couple of weeks (lower body); and Kaimon Rucker remains out — Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) September 23, 2024 Senior wide receiver Nate McCollum returns to action.
The UNC football program opens up as underdogs leading up to rivalry game vs. Duke
After the Tar Heels took a 70-50 thrashing from James Madison University, it’s difficult to look on the bright side, and fans are rightfully disappointed. But beating those guys 10 miles down the road is usually the best medicine for reviving Tar Heel nation. On Saturday, September 28, the UNC football program travels to Durham, North Carolina, to take on their archrival, Duke. As of today, the Tar Heels open as a three-point underdog. Duke opens up as 3 point favorites over North Carolina.
Aven Alvarez of the North Carolina women's soccer team gets an amazing surprise
The University of North Carolina Athletic Program is one close family, and family is so much bigger than sports. On Tuesday, Aven Alvarez, a freshman defender on the North Carolina women’s soccer team, received the surprise of a lifetime from her own family. Alvarez’s father, Daniel, was stationed overseas, serving in the United States Army. During a team meeting before practice, Alvarez sat surrounded by her teammates, and in walked her father.
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