Antawn Jamison Became Visiting Professor at UNC
The former Tar Heels star now teaches sports communication in Chapel Hill.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball
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Former North Carolina basketball standout Antawn Jamison has transitioned into a new role as a visiting professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. He currently co-teaches the MEJO 206 Sports Communication course alongside Livis Freeman.
Why it matters
Jamison took the teaching position to honor the advice of legendary coach Dean Smith regarding the importance of giving back to the university. He intends to use his extensive professional experience and network to mentor students pursuing careers in athletics.
Antawn Jamison brings a career spanning 16 seasons in the NBA to his instruction of 33 students. He previously played 25 games alongside current head coach Michael Malone.
The players
Antawn Jamison
He is a former professional basketball player who spent 16 seasons in the NBA before returning to his alma mater as a visiting professor.
Michael Malone
He serves as the head coach of the University of North Carolina men's basketball team.
Livis Freeman
He is a faculty member at UNC who co-teaches the sports communication course with Antawn Jamison.
Tyler Hansbrough
He is a former UNC basketball star who is currently serving as a visiting professor at the university.
Steve Newmark
He serves as the athletics director at the University of North Carolina.
The details
Teaching in Carroll Hall, Jamison draws upon a career that included scouting and front-office tenures with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributed to the university's leadership by serving on the search committee that selected Michael Malone as the current head coach of the men's basketball team.
Timeline
Antawn Jamison played basketball at UNC from 1995 to 1998.
Tyler Hansbrough played basketball at UNC from 2005 to 2009.
Jamison served on the basketball coach search committee in the spring of 2026.
Antawn Jamison taught a class session on September 22, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The involvement of former legends like Jamison and Hansbrough in academic roles strengthens the university's institutional connection to its athletic alumni. This trend helps maintain high levels of engagement between the program's history and the current student body in Chapel Hill.
Students enrolled in MEJO 206 gain direct access to Jamison’s professional network developed over 16 seasons of NBA experience. This instructional model bridges the gap between theoretical classroom learning and the practical realities of sports management and media.
The takeaway
Jamison's transition highlights the value of inviting veteran professionals to share real-world expertise within an academic setting. Students benefit by learning how to apply professional sports networking strategies to their future careers.
Further reading
For more news on the program, visit the Basketball section of our site.
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