Vince Carter Finally Opens up On his Commit to UNC Over Duke During Kansas Recruiting Visit

The former UNC star was loyal to the Tar Heels, even while at Kansas.

North Carolina basketball legend Vince Carter was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend. During his induction speech, Carter highlighted former Tar Heel coach Roy Williams, sharing that Williams convinced him to commit to UNC over rival Duke during a recruiting visit. Carter noted that once Williams realized he couldn’t recruit him to Kansas, he supported former mentor Dean Smith.

“Roy Williams, not only are you a diehard Tar Heel, but you are one hell of a person,” Carter said, acknowledging Williams. He recounted how Williams, after realizing he might not recruit Carter to Kansas, shifted the conversation, ultimately leading him to choose UNC.

Carter, a highly-touted prospect from Mainland (Fla.), excelled with the Tar Heels from 1995-98, earning All-ACC honors in 1997 and 1998 and being named a consensus first-team All-American as a junior. He emphasized the significant impact Dean Smith had on his life and career, despite retiring after Carter’s freshman season.

“I would like to recognize Dean Smith, may he rest in peace,” Carter stated. “I come from a family of educators. It was always education first. Coach Smith embodied that. He was a father figure.” He expressed the common sentiment among Tar Heels about what Coach Smith meant to them.

Carter shared a memorable story: “There’s one thing I admire about Dean Smith… He asked me, ‘How is your cousin Tiffany doing?’ His memory was amazing.” He concluded with a heartfelt thank you: “Thank you, Coach Smith; I love you.”

Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Walter Davis, making them the 13th and 14th former Tar Heels elected into the Naismith Hall of Fame—second all-time behind Kansas (20). Their induction brings Dean Smith‘s total to 10 former players in the Hall of Fame, the most for any coach in college basketball history.