Antawn Jamison unplugged: UNC legend on Duke, kissing the floor and HS star Isaiah Evans

Charlotte’s Antawn Jamison says no one is wearing No. 33 at North Carolina again. “I’m not giving anybody permission,” Jamison said. “Nobody can wear it. That’s a done deal. Nobody.” Jamison, who played at UNC from 1995-98, averaged 19 points and 9.9 rebounds over his three-year career. He won the Naismith and Wooden awards as national college player of the year in 1998, when he averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds.

In March of 2000, North Carolina retired his jersey. In 2011, Bleacher Report named Jamison one of the top 25 players in ACC history. With the ACC Tournament beginning this week and the big UNC-Duke game Saturday fresh in everyone’s memory, we sat down with one of the greatest Tar Heels ever — and a former McDonald’s All-American at Providence High School — to get his thoughts on a variety of topics. Jamison, now director of pro personnel for the Washington Wizards after a 16-year NBA career, talked about Cormac Ryan, North Carolina, and future Duke player Isaiah Evans of North Mecklenburg High, a McDonald’s All-American who sent Jamison’s son’s high school team home last week. Jamison’s answers are lightly edited for brevity and clarity. Jamison spoke with The Observer’s Langston Wertz Jr. and Randall Clark, a co-host of the streaming “Talking Preps” show. LW: You famously kissed the floor at the 1998 Final Four after the Tar Heels were upset. I thought you were gone to the NBA. What were you thinking? (Jamison was eventually drafted fourth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft). AJ: That’s the reason why I kissed it because I had no idea if I was coming back or not (for my senior year). So (kissing the floor was) just to make sure if I didn’t, just an appreciation of my three years at Carolina. I just knew it was special and might be the last time my parents saw me in a college basketball game. I just didn’t know. So for some reason the instincts just kind of kicked in and I kissed the floor and that was one of the things, especially the following week, the next day (people were saying), ‘Oh he’s leaving! He’s leaving! He kissed the floor!’ At the time I had no idea.

LW: So what changed?

AJ: We sat down and talked. The scouts told (coach Smith) I’d be a top 5, top 6 pick and he said, ‘This the main reason you come to college, to put yourself in a situation to create generational wealth, to find a successful job.’ My mom and dad did an unbelievable job as far as not putting that pressure on me, to not worry about taking care of the family. But as you know, I’ve seen my mom and dad work two jobs, sometimes three jobs at a time. They were always there to support me. But it was great to be in a position that I can take care of the family, but most importantly, that was my dream to play in the NBA. It felt like it was just a great time. I could set the family up for the future. I felt like I was ready and it was time to take that challenge and play in the NBA.

LW: You were in college in the ‘90s and NIL was not a thing. How do you feel about it now? AJ: I’ve always felt that in the NCAA and high school sports in general, so much revenue is made off the backs of the athletes, and I felt like it was time players get a chance to make money off their name, image and likeness. It was time for student-athletes to get paid. I joke with my parents all the time. I say ‘Y’all might’ve had me a few years too early.’ But it’s time for these kids to get paid for all the hard work they put in. So much money has been made off their backs. RC: Being a Charlotte native and living here, what are your thoughts on Michael Jordan selling the Hornets? AJ: When you think about MJ, he’s done an unbelievable job with giving this city hope. I was kind of surprised (he sold) but (Jordan) had a lot of other things that took priority and this specific job with the Hornets, it needed hands on attention 24-7. So I think he did an unbelievable job finding a group that had that vision he has and wants to bring success to this area. I go to the games all the time. You still see the same faces.

RC: Thoughts on No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller?

AJ: I think a lot of people don’t realize this kid is special. I would like to see him and (point guard LaMelo) Ball get on the same page. But Ball’s been hurt lately and you’ve seen (Miller) take that next step as far as being consistent. He’s a two-way player. He can defend. He can score, and you would like to see him and Ball kind of get that chemistry down pat as quickly as possible. I think he’s got a bright future. I think he’s going to be successful for years to come. He loves his craft and he’s going to do everything possible to be successful. I hear it all the time. We know how Charlotte has grown and this is an unbelievable city, and there should be no reason that you can’t bring top free agents to come to this city and play. Great fan base. They know the game of basketball.