Former UNC basketball stars Luke Maye and Justin Jackson shared their thoughts on basketball and life.
It’s been eight years since UNC-Chapel Hill hoisted the men’s basketball NCAA Championship trophy. The memories haven’t faded for Luke Maye.
“When the clock hit zero after the National Championship beating Gonzaga and being able to storm the court,” Maye reflected.
The 2017 thriller in Arizona earned Carolina its sixth national title.
“That was the mountain top in Phoenix that spring,” Maye said.
For Maye, that moment was the highlight of a time he holds closely. “It brings me great memories. I had an incredible four years at Carolina.”
He’s had a busy eight years since. After playing for professional teams here and in Europe, the 28-year-old is now playing for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, part of a Japanese league. He sat down for a Zoom interview with WFMY News 2’s Chad Silber.
“Been all over the world, been able to play basketball, have family come visit, and meet some incredible people,” Maye said.
Justin Jackson is also in a different chapter of his life.
“Enjoying family, that’s basically all I do, all day every day,” Jackson said.
He’s been on the go, but lately, it’s to chase his two young kids.
“Being able to be at home, settled with them, and just be in full father mode is what I’m really looking forward to,” Jackson said.
Over the years, the 30-year-old has played for multiple NBA and G-League teams, but he’s now preparing for a new adventure in broadcasting and podcasting. He said watching games, now that he’s strictly a spectator, is different.
“Being a fan, being able to enjoy it and not having any skin in the game, it kind of changes your perspective a little bit,” Jackson said.
That includes March Madness, especially since both he and Maye know what it’s like to be there.
“It’s so exciting, so much drama, so much up and down, it’s pretty special,” Maye said.
They both admit that many of their fondest memories occurred outside the actual games.
“The bus rides themselves over to the arena and to practice and things like that, they had enough memories in it to last us a lifetime,” Jackson said.
“Just great memories, not even on the court but just in the hotel rooms, on the bus,” Maye added.
I asked the guys what was so special about that 2017 team.
“For one, we had the loss the year before in the back of our minds, and guys were so dedicated to making it back to the championship,” Jackson reflected.
It was a heartbreaker in the 2016 national title game when the Tar Heels lost to Villanova by three points.
“Coach Williams continued to push us, continued to remind us of Houston in 2016 and I think that kind of really brought us together as a group and pushed us to get over that hump in 2017,” Maye said.
They got over that hump successfully and thousands of students and fans rushed Franklin Street in Chapel Hill moments after the game ended. The guys watched it from afar.
“We felt that support, even in Phoenix,” Jackson said. “We saw the videos, we saw all the parties and celebrations, and that’s what it’s all for.”
“I do love seeing the videos, seeing the people climbing,” Maye said. “It just shows how dedicated and just how passionate Carolina fans are.”
Even though UNC came up short this year, they’ve always got 2017 to look back on.
“There’s only 1 team that’s standing on Monday night,” Maye said. “And fortunately, we were one of those that year, which is something that nobody could ever take away.”
