ESPN REPORT: James Worthy, UNC Legend, Commits Major Contribution to Tar Heels Basketball — Announces Groundbreaking Donation of New State-of-the-Art Training Facility in His Alma Mater Worth $3.3 Billion
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received a historic boost this week when Hall of Famer and Tar Heel legend James Worthy announced a record-shattering $3.3 billion donation to the school’s basketball program. The monumental gift, the largest in the history of college athletics, will fully fund the construction of a revolutionary state-of-the-art training facility at his alma mater.
Worthy, who starred at UNC from 1979 to 1982 before launching his Hall of Fame NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, made the announcement during a packed press conference inside the Dean E. Smith Center. Standing before a sea of current players, coaches, alumni, and fans, the three-time NBA champion and Finals MVP emphasized that the donation was not just about buildings, but about legacy and opportunity.
“This program shaped me, both as a player and as a man,” Worthy said. “Coach Dean Smith taught us about excellence, discipline, and family. This facility is my way of ensuring that future generations of Tar Heels have every resource possible to succeed on and off the court.”
The planned complex will redefine what a college basketball training facility can be. Renderings show a futuristic design complete with multiple practice courts, an advanced sports science and recovery wing, virtual reality simulation rooms, analytics-driven performance labs, luxury locker rooms, and a Hall of Legends honoring UNC greats from Michael Jordan to Tyler Hansbrough. In addition, Worthy confirmed that the project will prioritize student-athlete well-being, with mental health spaces, nutrition centers, and academic support hubs integrated into the design.
UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham hailed the announcement as “transformational,” noting that the $3.3 billion gift will not only strengthen the basketball program but also set a new national standard for college athletics.
“This is unprecedented,” Cunningham said. “James Worthy is not just giving back — he is reshaping the future of college basketball. This facility will be the envy of every program in the country.”
Head Coach Hubert Davis, himself a former Tar Heel, grew emotional as he reflected on Worthy’s impact. “James is the definition of Carolina Basketball,” Davis said. “His generosity ensures that the tradition we all cherish will thrive for decades. Our players will be training in the best environment in the world, right here in Chapel Hill.”
Construction of the facility is set to begin later this year, with a target completion date of 2028. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs in the Chapel Hill area, boosting the local economy while cementing UNC’s reputation as a premier destination for elite athletes.
For Worthy, however, the vision is personal. “This is home,” he said, pausing as cheers erupted from the crowd. “Everything I’ve achieved started right here at UNC. Now it’s my turn to give future Tar Heels a chance to dream even bigger.”
With this historic gesture, James Worthy has once again cemented his place not only in basketball history but also in the heart of Tar Heel Nation — proving that some legends never stop giving back.
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