ACC

ACC Now podcast: Leonard Hamilton on Final Four and his NIL, transfer portal concerns

Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton has a word with RaiQuan Gray (1) during the first half against North Carolina on Saturday, February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton has a word with RaiQuan Gray (1) during the first half against North Carolina on Saturday, February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, N.C. rwillett@newsobserver.com

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The power of ACC basketball

UNC’s win over Duke, and NCAA tournament championship appearance, along with the NC State women’s Elite 8 run, capped a historic and memorable season — one of the Triangle’s best ever. ACC basketball had it rough this year, but these appearances played a part in renewing faith in it. Here’s a closer look at how the league turned a “down year” into something spectacular halfway through March.


Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton joins the N&O’s C.L. Brown to discuss the ACC’s presence in the Final Four, with North Carolina and Duke set to play Saturday night in New Orleans. He also shares his concerns about the direction in which college athletics is headed – with Name, Image and Likeness policy changes and the transfer portal – and stresses the need for organizational structure. Not wanting education to be devalued, the Gastonia native explains why the issues are personal for him.

You can also listen to this episode of the ACC Now podcast, and others, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton laughs after North Carolina coach Roy Williams had the last word during their pre-game conversation on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton laughs after North Carolina coach Roy Williams had the last word during their pre-game conversation on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 10:53 AM.

Natalie Pierre
The News & Observer
Natalie Pierre is the sports editor at The News & Observer. Over the last 15 years, she has covered some of college football’s most successful programs extensively, served in top leadership roles for basketball coverage across the Southeast and reported on NCAA business, policies and legislation. A native of Lake Mary, Florida, her career includes stops at AL.com/The Birmingham News and the Tallahassee Democrat. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and Delta State University.
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The power of ACC basketball

UNC’s win over Duke, and NCAA tournament championship appearance, along with the NC State women’s Elite 8 run, capped a historic and memorable season — one of the Triangle’s best ever. ACC basketball had it rough this year, but these appearances played a part in renewing faith in it. Here’s a closer look at how the league turned a “down year” into something spectacular halfway through March.