On Tuesday, the North Carolina Tar Heels hired Michael Malone as the new head coach to replace Hubert Davis. One day later, retired eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter shared an interesting detail about the hiring.
On the “Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady” show, Carter revealed that he was shocked by Malone’s hiring. This is because initially, the ex-Denver Nuggets coach was unsure of the offer before having a “change of heart.”
“I was surprised because we did not hear Michael Malone at no point through the process,” Carter said. “I was told by my former teammate, Antawn Jamison, who was a part of the process, that they reached out to him, he wasn’t sure at first, and all of a sudden, he had a change of heart.
Carter also said that he was excited about Michael Malone’s plans with UNC.
“I love the fact that he has said he wants to coach, he wants to develop. But he also wants to keep Carolina basketball the way we know it to be. He’s already met with coach Roy Williams, he’s had conversations with Antawn, and now he wants to now meet with former players and get everybody on board,” he added.
In 2021, the North Carolina Tar Heels promoted Hubert Davis as the coach after Roy Williams’ retirement. In five seasons, he helped the program make March Madness four times. During the 2025-26 campaign, they competed in the NCAA Tournament, but lost to VCU in the first round, which resulted in his firing.
NBA star Nikola Jokic endorses Michael Malone’s new journey with UNC
Michael Malone joined the Denver Nuggets as their coach in 2015, the same year they drafted NBA champion Nikola Jokic. As Malone prepares for a new journey at the collegiate level with UNC, Jokic expressed his support for his former coach.
“I’m happy for coach,” Jokic said, as per Denver Gazette’s Vinny Benedetto. “I wish him all the luck. I think it’s a little different just because he was coaching NBA for how many years, 12, 15 years?”
“He definitely has the poise and the brain to do it. I think he’s going to do a really good job because I think he can actually coach the guys. I think he’s going to have the time to coach the guys and teach them how to play the game the right way,” he added.
As per reports, Michael Malone has agreed to a six-year deal with the Tar Heels. He is set to earn approximately $8.3 million per year.
Also Read: Kentucky Back in the Hunt as Mark Pope Makes New Attempt to Lure Tyran Stokes
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in College Football, Men’s College Basketball, and Women’s College Basketball
