Bob McAdoo

Bob McAdoo played just one season at North Carolina, leading the Tar Heels to the 1972 Final Four as a consensus All-American.

Robert Allen McAdoo was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1951. He attended the University of North Carolina under coach Dean Smith for one year — his sophomore season after transferring — and averaged 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. His single full season with the Tar Heels established him as the ACC's most productive big man and one of the most physically imposing center-forwards in the country. His combination of size, shooting touch and mobility made him a unique prospect — a center who could step outside and score from the mid-range in an era when that skill was virtually nonexistent at the position. He left North Carolina after his junior year. Buffalo Braves selected him second overall in the 1972 NBA Draft. His professional career produced three consecutive scoring titles (1974, 1975, 1976) and the NBA MVP in 1975. His North Carolina year — brief but spectacular — established the scoring and mobility profile that made him the second overall pick. He eventually won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers as a reserve in 1982 and 1985 alongside Magic Johnson.

McAdoo was a skilled big man who could score from multiple positions on the court. He possessed excellent shooting touch for a center, including reliable mid-range jumper and soft hands around the basket. His height and athleticism allowed him to dominate in the post while also being mobile enough to play facing the basket.

McAdoo helped bridge the gap between traditional low-post centers and the more versatile big men who could shoot from distance, influencing how the center position evolved.

• Consensus first-team All-American 1972
• ACC Tournament MVP 1972