A Moment Frozen in Time: 2014-15 UNC Basketball Team Pays Tribute to Dean Smith with Iconic Photo
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a moment that has since become a treasured snapshot in Tar Heel history, the University of North Carolina’s 2014-15 men’s basketball team gathered for a deeply symbolic group photo in front of the statue of legendary head coach Dean Smith. The photo, taken on a crisp fall afternoon, was more than a team picture—it was a heartfelt tribute to the coach who had built UNC into a basketball powerhouse and left an indelible mark on the lives of generations.
Coach Dean Smith, who passed away in February 2015, was not just a coaching icon but a mentor, innovator, and advocate for unity and equality in college sports. The statue, erected outside the Dean E. Smith Center, captures his steady presence and guiding spirit—a fitting backdrop for a team that carried his values both on and off the court.
Led by head coach Roy Williams, himself a protégé of Smith, the 2014-15 squad included future NBA talent like Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, and Justin Jackson. At the time, the Tar Heels were gearing up for a season of high expectations, but this moment of stillness and reflection gave players and coaches alike a chance to acknowledge the deeper legacy they were continuing.
“We were standing on the shoulders of a giant,” Marcus Paige would later say. “That photo wasn’t just about the team—it was about paying respect to the foundation he built.”
The image, widely circulated after Smith’s passing, became symbolic of the unity within the Tar Heel family. Former players, alumni, and fans across the country praised the gesture, calling it a perfect reminder of what Carolina basketball stands for: tradition, excellence, and integrity.
Though the 2014-15 team ultimately fell short of a national title, finishing 26-12 and advancing to the Sweet 16, their season was marked by a renewed sense of purpose inspired by Smith’s legacy. The statue became a quiet place of reflection throughout the season—where players would visit for motivation, perspective, or simply to feel connected to the program’s soul.
More than a decade later, the photo remains a treasured artifact in UNC’s rich basketball history. It’s a reminder that while games come and go, the values Dean Smith instilled—humility, teamwork, and respect—are timeless. In that single image, a team stood together not just for themselves, but for the man who made it all possible.
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