When the UNC men’s basketball team took the court minutes before tip-off against Miami on Monday, they had more than a dozen special guests with them.

The Tar Heels partnered with the Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill to have several children in its youth programs join the team for its game as part of Black History Month. The kids got to spend time with the Carolina players in the tunnel, dancing with them on their way to the Roy Williams Court and then standing with the team during the national anthem. The children also received special team shirts with the Tar Heel players on the front, and got to sit behind the scorer’s table to watch the game.

The Hargraves Community Center is located on North Roberson Street in the heart of the Northside District, which is a historically Black community on the border of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. While the building, park and athletics facilities are primarily used for recreation these days, the center has a deep-running history of being a place for social justice, activism, and community for Chapel Hill’s Black residents. It was initially built to house the B-1 Navy Band in the early 1940s and served as the birthplace of the Chapel Hill NAACP chapter in 1947 — holding such importance that Hargraves was bestowed a marker for North Carolina’s Civil Rights Trail last summer.

UNC head coach Hubert Davis has long been connected to the community center, with him paying visits to the basketball courts during his playing days at Carolina. As GoHeels.com shared ahead of Monday’s game, Davis and his family have continued to stay involved by ensuring Hargraves could operate as a wi-fi site for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting tutoring programs for the kids, and participating in food drives.

Here are photos of the visit, as shared by UNC men’s basketball and taken by the Chapelboro news team:

Children with the Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill walk out of the UNC men’s basketball tunnel for pre-game festivities between UNC vs. Miami.

Children with the Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill stand with the UNC men’s basketball team ahead of the national anthem on February, 26, 2024.

UNC went on to win Monday’s game 75-71 against Miami, in which senior R.J. Davis scored 42 points and set a new scoring record for the Dean E. Smith Center. More photos from the game can be seen here.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Full 2025-26 ACC Schedule Announced for UNC Men's Basketball
Carolina now knows its full 2025-26 season schedule, as the ACC announced the full slate of conference games Tuesday afternoon. Conference schedule is set 🗓️ 🔗 https://t.co/LOJXx1ELdQ pic.twitter.com/ZJ3mNlvJRU — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) September 9, 2025 The conference schedule begins either December 30 or 31, when UNC hosts Florida State at the Dean Smith Center. […]
Chansky's Notebook: Who Are These Guys?
NC State and UNC are like ships in the night when it comes to ESPN's preseason men's college basketball rankings.
READ: Hubert Davis Talks Pressure at UNC, Caleb Wilson, Luka Bogavac and More
UNC men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis met with the media for the first time since the end of the 2024-25 season Tuesday at the Dean Smith Center. Davis discussed multiple topics, including pressure to win this season and star freshman Caleb Wilson. Read some of Davis’ answers below, which have been lightly edited for […]
Roy Williams to Receive North Carolina Award for Public Service
Former UNC men’s basketball head coach Roy Williams was named as one of six winners of the North Carolina Award earlier this week. Governor Josh Stein will present the award to Williams and the other five honorees Thursday, November 13 at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The ceremony is normally held in Raleigh, […]
Chansky's Notebook: Similarities?
Art Chansky compares the situations of UNC head coaches Bill Belichick and Hubert Davis, noting expectations are high for both.
UNC Men's Basketball Finalizes Roster, Jersey Numbers for 2025-26 Season
Head coach Hubert Davis and the UNC men’s basketball program have finalized the team’s roster and jersey numbers ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Tar Heels bring in numerous newcomers between freshmen and transfers after losing all five of their year-end starters from the 2024-25 season. The squad is set ‼️ 🔗 https://t.co/58XUN10ZNl pic.twitter.com/GvWO19lPgH — […]
Chansky's Notebook: Pro Prospects
Former UNC stars R.J. Davis and Caleb Love are both trying to earn their way into the NBA, where the pair have signed two-way contracts.
UNC's Tyler Hansbrough to Deliver Keynote Address at New Student Convocation
UNC men's basketball legend Tyler Hansbrough will deliver the keynote address at the university's New Student Convocation later this month.
Chansky's Notebook: 5 and 75
Art Chansky celebrates the legacy of former UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams, who turned 75 last Friday.
High Point Transfer Ivan Matlekovic Commits to UNC Men's Basketball
Head coach Hubert Davis earned a late commitment out of the transfer portal Thursday night, as High Point forward Ivan Matlekovic committed to Davis and the Tar Heels. NEWS: North Carolina has landed a commitment from 6-foot-11 High Point transfer Ivan Matlekovic, his agents @WEAVE tell @On3sports. The Croatian big man adds frontcourt depth for […]
›