North Carolina's Sports Legends Shine in 2026 Hall of Fame

North Carolina is celebrating some of its biggest sports stars. Tyler Hansbrough, Leonard Hamilton, and Kelvin Sampson are among the 11 new members joining the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2026. This event will take place on May 1 at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center in Greensboro. Tyler Hansbrough, a former UNC basketball player, is known for his amazing career. He scored 2, 872 points, making him the ACC's all-time leading scorer. Hansbrough helped UNC win a national championship in 2009. His jersey number 50 is retired and hangs in the Smith Center. Kelvin Sampson, a coach from Pembroke, is making history. He is the first Native American to be elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. As the head coach of Houston's men's basketball team, he led them to a Final Four appearance last season. Sampson has a winning record and has taken multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament.Leonard Hamilton, from Gastonia, is a successful college basketball coach. He has won 660 games and is the winningest coach in Florida State history. Hamilton has also coached at Oklahoma State, the University of Miami, and the NBA's Washington Wizards. His teams have a high graduation rate, showing his commitment to both sports and education. These inductees represent the best of North Carolina sports. They have achieved greatness in high school, college, professional, and Olympic competitions. Their leadership and achievements continue to shape the sports legacy of the state.