Antawn Jamison is back in Chapel Hill, but this time the former Tar Heel star is walking into a classroom instead of an arena.
The two-time NBA All-Star is co-teaching MEJO 206 this semester at UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media, taking on a new role as a visiting professor of the practice alongside Livis Freeman, a distinguished associate professor of sports communication. After 16 seasons in the NBA and later stops in television and NBA front offices, Jamison said the classroom brought a different kind of first-day nerves.
“First day I was a little nervous. ‘These kids don’t know who I am.’
They don’t want to hear me talk, but it’s been smooth," Jamison said. "I’m just going off my experiences.
Things I’ve experienced. Just after class, having these students come in and ask questions to get as much information as possible.”
Jamison’s aim is simple: give students a clearer view of the sports business beyond what happens on the court. In one of his classes, that perspective got another familiar Carolina connection when Tyler Hansbrough joined as a guest. Hansbrough, another former Tar Heel standout, had previously served as a visiting professor and co-taught the same course with Freeman.
The move back to UNC adds another chapter to a career already packed with milestones. Jamison was the unanimous National Player of the Year in 1998 and earned induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. He also became the first player in ACC history to make first-team All-ACC as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
In three seasons with the Tar Heels, Jamison put up 1,974 points and 1,027 rebounds while helping Carolina win back-to-back ACC Tournament titles and reach the Final Four in 1997 and 1998. He later played 16 seasons in the NBA, picked up All-Star honors in 2005 and 2008, and finished with 20,042 career points.
After his playing days ended, Jamison moved into broadcasting as a television analyst covering the Los Angeles Lakers, then shifted into scouting and front-office work with the Lakers and Washington Wizards.
He remains one of just eight players in UNC men’s basketball history to have his jersey retired.
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For UNC, the immediate effect is simple enough: the athletes are allowed to return during the 2026-27 academic year if they choose to keep going. The bigger issue is still unresolved, though, because the injunction only addresses eligibility for now and leaves the larger question of how the NCAAs new standard will hold up in court hanging over players who thought their college timelines were already set. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Already Has 3 Breakout Stars Fans Need To Notice
North Carolinas 2-1 start has given the Tar Heels a little breathing room heading into their Week 4 bye, and it has also surfaced a few names worth keeping on the radar. The early buzz starts up front with defensive tackle Lewis, who has been a major force in the pass rush despite the team dealing with injuries around him, while linebacker Seelmann has quickly made his presence felt after arriving from Richmond and settling into a bigger role.
On the offensive side, tight end Thurman has stepped into the mix at an important time after the injury to projected starter Jaxxon Warren, becoming a more reliable part of the passing game. For a team still sorting out its identity this early in the season, those kinds of breakout performances matter because they can help stabilize both sides of the ball while the Tar Heels use the bye week to reset and prepare for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]