Mitch Kupchak (1976) - Patterson Medal Winners - University of North Carolina Athletics

Mitch Kupchak

Induction:
1976
Class:
1976

1976— Mitch Kupchak: Men’s Basketball (Brentwood, N.Y.)
ACC Player of the Year and first-team USBWA All-America in 1976. First-team All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament team in 1975 and 1976. Led UNC to 1975 ACC title. Starting center on the gold medal winning 1976 U.S. Olympic Team under head coach Dean Smith. Was the first to play at Carolina after the freshman eligibility rule went into effect in 1973.

Scored 1,611 points and grabbed 1,006 rebounds as a Tar Heel. Averaged double-doubles in points and rebounds in 1975 and 1976. One of seven Tar Heels to average a double-double in points and rebounds in consecutive seasons. Finished his career second in rebounds and field goal percentage (.586) and sixth in scoring at UNC. Scored a career-high 36 points in a four-overtime win at Tulane.

Threw a baseball-style inbounds pass from the baseline across halfcourt to Walter Davis, which Davis caught then hit a 25-foot bank shot to tie the game, capping the famous “eight-points in 17 seconds” comeback against Duke on March 2, 1974. Carolina trailed 86-78 but tied the game on Davis’s shot and won, 96-92, in overtime.

Played on three NBA championship teams with the Washington Bullets and Los Angeles Lakers. Won six NBA titles as an executive with the Lakers. General manager of the Charlotte Hornets until stepping down from the position in 2024.