The Golden State Warriors have built plenty of teams through the draft, and UNC has sent a steady stream of names into that pipeline over the years. Some became part of the Warriors’ roster picture, while others never got that far. Either way, the Tar Heels have shown up on Golden State’s draft card more than once.
The earliest UNC name on the list is Lennie Rosenbluth, a forward taken in the first round with the 6th pick, 6th overall, in the 1957 NBA Draft. He spent three seasons at UNC.
Golden State also used the 1962 draft to dip into Chapel Hill multiple times. Donnie Walsh, a guard, went in the 11th round with the 5th pick, 91st overall, after three seasons at UNC.
Ken McComb, a forward, was taken in the 10th round with the 6th pick, 86th overall, after one season. Jim Hudock, also a forward, came off the board in the 6th round with the 7th pick, 52nd overall, after three seasons.
The Tar Heels kept coming in later years. Bobby Lewis, a guard, was selected in the 4th round with the 8th pick, 39th overall, in the 1967 NBA Draft.
His seasons at UNC are listed as unknown. Bill Chamberlain, a forward, was drafted in the 3rd round with the 13th pick, 43rd overall, in 1972 after three seasons in Chapel Hill.
John Virgil, a guard, followed in 1980, going in the 3rd round with the 3rd pick, 49th overall, after four seasons at UNC.
Then came one of the biggest UNC names of them all: Vince Carter. The wing was selected in the first round with the 5th pick, 5th overall, in the 1998 NBA Draft after three seasons at UNC. He did not make the Warriors, but the Hall of Famer still stands out on the list.
The most recent UNC player drafted by Golden State is Harrison Barnes, a forward taken in the first round with the 7th pick, 7th overall, in the 2012 NBA Draft. Barnes spent two seasons at UNC and later played four seasons with the Warriors, winning one title.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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