Marcus Paige, a former standout basketball player at UNC, recognized for his three-point shooting and leadership, has joined the men’s basketball coaching staff as the director of team and player development. Paige, who played for the Tar Heels from 2012 to 2016, holds the record for the most three-pointers in Carolina’s history, with 299. Additionally, he ranks third in steals, fourth in free-throw percentage, and eighth in assists.
Hailing from Marion, Iowa, Paige earned accolades such as first-team All-ACC and second-team All-America as a sophomore. He received honorable mention All-America honors in 2016 and was named Carolina’s Most Valuable Player in 2015 and 2016. Paige also showcased his skills in the NCAA tournament, being the only player to make multiple three-pointers in all 13 tournament games he played. His iconic three-point shot in the 2016 national championship game against Villanova remains a memorable moment in Final Four history.
In addition to his on-court success, Paige excelled academically, earning Academic All-America honors three times. He was also the recipient of the Skip Prosser Award as the ACC’s top scholar-athlete in basketball in 2015 and 2016. Following his college career, Paige was selected by the Brooklyn Nets in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, playing professionally overseas.
Head coach Hubert Davis expressed his excitement about Paige joining the coaching staff, highlighting Paige as an exemplary figure who excelled in academics, on the court, and in the community. Paige, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to UNC’s basketball program, emphasizing his desire to make a positive impact on players, inspired by the influence of his former coaches, including Coach Roy Williams and Coach Davis. Paige sees this next step in his career as a chance to give back to his Carolina family after his basketball journey took him around the world.
