All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Alum Leaky Black Records First NBA Buckets

UNC basketball product Leaky Black is officially on the board as a player in the NBA.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball forward Leaky Black (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
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Leaky Black, who went undrafted this summer but signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets and is UNC basketball's only current NBA rookie, made his on-court debut last Wednesday night in a 132-116 home loss to the Washington Wizards.

The former five-year Tar Heel wing played only four minutes of mop-up duty in that contest and did not score, but he recorded one assist and one block.

Two nights later, he didn't play in Charlotte's 124-117 road win over the Wizards.

On Sunday, though, Black recorded his first official points as an NBA player in the team's 129-107 loss at the New York Knicks. He finished with five points, two rebounds, and one block, shooting 2-for-2 from the floor and 1-for-1 from deep in his six minutes on the floor.

UNC basketball's social media team gave him the following shoutout, posting highlights of the two buckets that the 24-year-old wing is sure never to forget:

Next, the Hornets (3-6) play at home against the Miami Heat (6-4) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Leaky Black will probably only play if the score is lopsided late.

Once the G League season gets into full swing, the Tar Heel gem will likely spend most of his time developing his professional game while suiting up for the Hornets' G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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