From Roy Williams to Tyler Hansbrough, Tar Heel legends are taking to social media to push UNC toward renovating the Smith Center instead of relocating.
After years of eyeing an off-campus replacement for the Dean E. Smith Center, the University of North Carolina is facing growing resistance from the very people who helped build its basketball dynasty — and that pushback is reshaping the conversation from relocation to renovation.
Roy Williams
The first prominent figure to be featured in one of Smith Center South’s videos was former Tar Heel coach Roy Williams. He went 485-163 at UNC, winning three national championships, reaching five Final Fours and claiming 12 ACC titles — nine regular-season and three tournament crowns.
Coach Roy Williams strongly supports renovating the Smith Center.
— Smith Center South (@SmithCenterUNC) January 19, 2026
Please support Dean Smith's wish and sign the petition: https://t.co/R9kFNQy1H4pic.twitter.com/y6OIGIkBqF
Williams is Tar Heel born and bred. He attended UNC, then served as an assistant under Dean Smith from 1978 to 1988 before returning as head coach of his alma mater after a successful run leading Kansas from 1988 to 2000.
His name is on the court at the Dean Smith Center.
Tyler Hansbrough
Hansbrough, UNC’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time All-America, was also a four-time first-team All-ACC selection and the 2008 ACC and national player of the year. He helped lead the Tar Heels to two Final Fours, including the 2009 national championship. He has urged the school to renovate the Smith Center rather than build a new arena.
Tyler Hansbrough agrees: Renovate, Don't Relocate the Dean E. Smith Center.
— Smith Center South (@SmithCenterUNC) January 20, 2026
Please sign our petition - https://t.co/R9kFNQy1H4.
#UNC#Tarheels#uncbasketball#uncchapelhill#DeanDomepic.twitter.com/3IiXjPUCNJ
Hansbrough said the Smith Center is “a special place that holds a lot of memories.”
“It’s very important that we keep the Smith Center right here on campus and push for renovations so many other Tar Heels can have the experience that we had here in the future,” Hansbrough said in a video posted on the site, RenovateSmithCenter.org.
Brice Johnson
Another prominent Tar Heel backing renovation of the Smith Center instead of a move is former All-America forward Brice Johnson. He has been one of the most vocal and colorful supporters on social media, weighing in repeatedly on the issue.
I loved playing in this place more than any other place on this planet. I support this message! This is OUR HOME! This is our History!
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) January 20, 2026
The Smith Center is Carolina Basketball!!
Renovate! Don’t Relocate! https://t.co/gmZTVOuR4J
Johnson argued that other iconic college basketball arenas were never seriously considered for replacement and instead have been preserved through renovation.
It’s crazy.. How the Smith Center has to be replaced now… but no one said to replace icons like Cameron Indoor.. Allen Fieldhouse.. Rupp Arena or Assembly Hall..
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) January 20, 2026
All those places got renovated but we have to give up OUR Home!
Y’all ain’t real fans…
Make it make sense!
Johnson even called out the fans in support of the relocation.
It’s so sad being an alum at Carolina and hearing yall reasons for moving.. and it’s crazy to think other great programs didn’t even consider what yall want us to do..
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) January 20, 2026
If you don’t understand the greatness of the house Dean built.. you ain’t a Tar Heel! Period.
Renovate Home
Also, don't tell Johnson that UNC is a football school.
This ain’t Indiana my guy.. football ain’t won shit at Carolina.. but they keep giving them all the resources they want… fuck outta here
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) January 20, 2026
Theo Pinson
Another player backing the renovation of the Smith Center is Theo Pinson, who played at North Carolina from 2014 to 2018 and was a key member of the 2017 national title team. He quote-tweeted Williams’ video, adding, “OUR HOME!!”
OUR HOME‼️ https://t.co/3g84reYbTX
— Theo pinson (@tpinsonn) January 20, 2026
Pinson’s versatility was central to North Carolina’s back‑to‑back trips to the national title game. His passing, defense and vocal leadership steadied the Tar Heels on the floor, while his prank-filled personality kept the locker room loose and energized. In the 2017 NCAA Tournament, his end‑to‑end drive and dish set up Luke Maye’s game‑winning shot against Kentucky in the South Regional final, a defining moment of the championship run. As a senior, Pinson averaged 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game.
Dre Bly
While Dre Bly made his name on the football field rather than the hardwood, his voice still carries weight because of his legacy in Chapel Hill and his ties to a sport that has received more funding than basketball in recent years.
The former three-time All-America and Pro Bowl cornerback replied to Hansbrough’s video supporting renovation of the Dean Dome instead of relocation.
Agreed‼️ So much tradition and history which loses its must see/must experience feeling if a new arena is built‼️
— Dré Bly (@drebly_32) January 20, 2026
Coming to the Dean Dome is something people travel the world to experience‼️#RenovateDontRelocate
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: UNC icons push Dome renovation over relocation
Category: General Sports
