NBA Champions! (1970-2025)
North Carolina High Schools, Colleges
Usually Have Presence On Winning Team
By David Glenn
North Carolina Sports Network
(last updated June 24, 2025)
When former Duke star Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to the National Basketball Association championship in 2024, it continued an impressive streak for the Old North State.
For the 16th consecutive year, the NBA champion included at least one player whose high school and/or college basketball roots were in North Carolina.
That streak came to an end this year. The 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder did not have anyone on their postseason roster who played for a North Carolina-based high school or university.
While the majority of NBA championship players with ties to North Carolina were college “imports” who attended high school elsewhere, many spent both their high school and college careers in the Old North State, including living legends such as Michael Jordan (Wilmington Laney/UNC), James Worthy (Gastonia Ashbrook/UNC), Bob McAdoo (Greensboro Smith/UNC) and Steph Curry (Charlotte Christian/Davidson).
For the full list of players on NBA champions (1970-2025) who played high school or college basketball in North Carolina, please see below.
Year—NBA Champion, Player, NC (HS and/or College) Connection
2025—Oklahoma City Thunder, none
2024—Boston Celtics, F Jayson Tatum, Duke (2016-17)
2023—Denver Nuggets, G Ish Smith, Concord Central Cabarrus HS, Wake Forest (2006-10)
2022—Golden State Warriors, G Steph Curry, Charlotte Christian HS, Davidson (2006-09)
2021—Milwaukee Bucks, F Justin Jackson, UNC (2014-17); G Jeff Teague, Wake Forest (2007-09); F P.J. Tucker, Raleigh Enloe HS
2020—Los Angeles Lakers, F Devontae Cacok, UNC Wilmington (2015-19); G Quinn Cook, Duke (2011-15); G Danny Green, UNC (2005-09)
2019—Toronto Raptors, G Danny Green, UNC (2005-09)
2018—Golden State Warriors, G Quinn Cook, Duke (2011-15); G Steph Curry, Charlotte Christian HS, Davidson (2006-09); F David West, Garner HS
2017—Golden State Warriors, G Steph Curry, Charlotte Christian HS, Davidson (2006-09); F James Michael McAdoo, UNC (2011-14); F David West, Garner HS
2016—Cleveland Cavaliers, G Kyrie Irving, Duke (2010-11); F Dahntay Jones, Duke (2001-03)
2015—Golden State Warriors, F Harrison Barnes, UNC (2010-12); G Steph Curry, Charlotte Christian HS, Davidson (2006-09); F James Michael McAdoo, UNC (2011-14)
2014—San Antonio Spurs, C Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993-97); G Danny Green, UNC (2005-09)
2013—Miami Heat, F Shane Battier, Duke (1997-2001)
2012—Miami Heat, F Shane Battier, Duke (1997-2001)
2011—Dallas Mavericks, C Brendan Haywood, Greensboro Dudley HS, UNC (1997-2001)
2010—Los Angeles Lakers, F Josh Powell, NC State (2001-03)
2009—Los Angeles Lakers, F Josh Powell, NC State (2001-03)
2008—Boston Celtics, none
2007—San Antonio Spurs, C Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993-97)
2006—Miami Heat, none
2005—San Antonio Spurs, C Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993-97)
2004—Detroit Pistons, F Rasheed Wallace, UNC (1993-95)
2003—San Antonio Spurs, C Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993-97); F Danny Ferry, Duke (1985-89)
2002—Los Angeles Lakers, F Rick Fox, UNC (1987-91)
2001—Los Angeles Lakers, F Rick Fox, UNC (1987-91)
2000—Los Angeles Lakers, F Rick Fox, UNC (1987-91)
1999—San Antonio Spurs, C Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1993-97); F Brandon Williams, Davidson (1992-96)
1998—Chicago Bulls, G Michael Jordan, Wilmington Laney HS, UNC (1981-84); G Rusty LaRue, Greensboro Northwest Guilford HS, Wake Forest (1992-96)
1997—Chicago Bulls, G Michael Jordan, Wilmington Laney HS, UNC (1981-84)
1996—Chicago Bulls, G Michael Jordan, Wilmington Laney HS, UNC (1981-84)
1995—Houston Rockets, F Chucky Brown, Leland North Brunswick HS, NC State (1985-89); F Pete Chilcutt, UNC (1987-91); G Kenny Smith, UNC (1983-87)
1994—Houston Rockets, G Kenny Smith, UNC (1983-87)
1993—Chicago Bulls, G Michael Jordan, Wilmington Laney HS, UNC (1981-84); C Scott Williams, UNC (1986-90)
1992—Chicago Bulls, G Michael Jordan, Wilmington Laney HS, UNC (1981-84); C Scott Williams, UNC (1986-90)
1991—Chicago Bulls, G Michael Jordan, Wilmington Laney HS, UNC (1981-84); C Scott Williams, UNC (1986-90)
1990—Detroit Pistons, none
1989—Detroit Pistons, none
1988—Los Angeles Lakers, F James Worthy, Gastonia Ashbrook HS, UNC (1979-82)
1987—Los Angeles Lakers, F James Worthy, Gastonia Ashbrook HS, UNC (1979-82)
1986—Boston Celtics, none
1985—Los Angeles Lakers, F Mitch Kupchak, UNC (1972-76); F Bob McAdoo, Greensboro Smith HS, UNC (1971-72); C Chuck Nevitt, NC State (1978-82); F James Worthy, Gastonia Ashbrook HS, UNC (1979-82)
1984—Boston Celtics, G M.L. Carr, Teachey Wallace-Rose Hill HS, Guilford (1969-73); F Cedric Maxwell, Kinston HS, Charlotte (1973-77)
1983—Philadelphia 76ers, F Bobby Jones, Charlotte South Mecklenburg HS, UNC (1971-74)
1982—Los Angeles Lakers, F Mitch Kupchak, UNC (1972-76); F Bob McAdoo, Greensboro Smith HS, UNC (1971-72)
1981—Boston Celtics, G M.L. Carr, Teachey Wallace-Rose Hill HS, Guilford (1969-73); F Cedric Maxwell, Kinston HS, Charlotte (1973-77)
1980—Los Angeles Lakers, none
1979—Seattle SuperSonics, F Tom LaGarde, UNC (1973-77); G Dick Snyder, Davidson (1963-66)
1978—Washington Bullets, F Mitch Kupchak, UNC (1972-76)
1977—Portland Trail Blazers, F Herm Gilliam, Winston-Salem Atkins HS
1976—Boston Celtics, G Charlie Scott, Laurinburg Institute, UNC (1967-70)
1975—Golden State Warriors, G Jeff Mullins, Duke (1961-64)
1974—Boston Celtics, none
1973—New York Knicks, G Henry Bibby, Franklinton Person-Albion HS; F Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Winston-Salem State (1963-67); F Harthorne Wingo, Tryon HS
1972—Los Angeles Lakers, F Happy Hairston, Winston-Salem Atkins HS
1971—Milwaukee Bucks, none
1970—New York Knicks, none
