University of North Carolina Athletics
Patterson Medal Winners
Al Wood
- Induction:
- 1981
- Class:
- 1981
1981— Al Wood: Men’s Basketball (Gray, Ga.)
Led Carolina in scoring three times with averages of 17.8, 19.0 and 18.1 from 1979-81. First-team USBWA and Wooden Team All-America in 1981 after he led UNC to the NCAA championship game. Three-time All-ACC (first team in 1979 and 1981, second team in 1980). First-team All-ACC Tournament in 1980.
Most Outstanding Player in the 1981 West Regional, scoring a team-high 15 points in the Sweet 16 vs. Utah and a game-high 21 points and 17 rebounds in the regional final vs. Kansas State. Set the NCAA semifinals scoring record (which still stands) with a career-high 39 points and had 10 rebounds in beating Ralph Sampson’s Virginia Cavaliers. Broke the semifinal record previously held by Jerry West of West Virginia and Jerry Chambers of Utah. Made 14 of 19 shots from the floor and 11 of 13 free throws to score the 39 points, which are tied for the seventh-most in any Final Four game. Led the Tar Heels with 18 points in the national championship game loss to Indiana.
Enters the 2023-24 season seventh in UNC history with 2,015 points.
Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, which wasn’t allowed to participate due to an Olympic boycott.
The fourth overall pick in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Played six seasons in the NBA.
Led Carolina in scoring three times with averages of 17.8, 19.0 and 18.1 from 1979-81. First-team USBWA and Wooden Team All-America in 1981 after he led UNC to the NCAA championship game. Three-time All-ACC (first team in 1979 and 1981, second team in 1980). First-team All-ACC Tournament in 1980.
Most Outstanding Player in the 1981 West Regional, scoring a team-high 15 points in the Sweet 16 vs. Utah and a game-high 21 points and 17 rebounds in the regional final vs. Kansas State. Set the NCAA semifinals scoring record (which still stands) with a career-high 39 points and had 10 rebounds in beating Ralph Sampson’s Virginia Cavaliers. Broke the semifinal record previously held by Jerry West of West Virginia and Jerry Chambers of Utah. Made 14 of 19 shots from the floor and 11 of 13 free throws to score the 39 points, which are tied for the seventh-most in any Final Four game. Led the Tar Heels with 18 points in the national championship game loss to Indiana.
Enters the 2023-24 season seventh in UNC history with 2,015 points.
Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, which wasn’t allowed to participate due to an Olympic boycott.
The fourth overall pick in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Played six seasons in the NBA.
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