Two UNC Basketball Teammates Enjoy Career Days in Same NBA Game

Former UNC basketball standout Leaky Black put together a productive performance in the Hornets’ season finale.

UNC basketball forwards Leaky Black and Pete Nance / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

After a five-season stretch for UNC basketball that saw him play a school-record 155 career games for the Tar Heels, it appears Leaky Black may finally be breaking through at the professional level.

The 24-year-old Black, who went undrafted but signed a two-way contract to stay in North Carolina with the Charlotte Hornets this past summer, put together his best performance of his young NBA career on Sunday afternoon.

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He finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 32 minutes of play as Black and the Hornets (21-61) were able to knock off the Cavaliers (48-34) in the teams’ regular-season finale, picking up a 120-110 road win. The defensive specialist also added two steals and a block while finishing a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.

Black set career-highs in both minutes played and assists, while tying his best marks as an NBA player in both points and rebounds. He’s seen his playing time increase somewhat over the season, with the 6-foot-6 forward from Concord, N.C., playing double-digit minutes in eight of his last nine outings.

"Just trying to play my heart out."

Leaky Black talks with @ashahahmadi about taking advantage of his playing time today. pic.twitter.com/re0I1Pa1AH

— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) April 14, 2024

Across 25 appearances this season, the former Tar Heel averaged 2.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in just over 10 minutes of playing time per game. 

As for the Cavaliers' lone UNC basketball alum and Black’s former teammate, Pete Nance played a career-high 12 minutes off the bench on Sunday. The 24-year-old forward, who inked a two-way deal with Cleveland in February, finished with three points and a rebound in the loss.

Nance's 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter marked the Ohio native's first NBA bucket through his eight appearances this season.

Pete Nance has entered the chat (and we're so here for it).@peteln22 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/FDrnlmrBIy

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 14, 2024

Both Pete Nance and Leaky Black will look to crack into their teams’ respective rotations next season.

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI for more UNC basketball news.