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What kind of NBA career could Julius Peppers have had?

Panthers legend will be enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday

Julius Peppers made sure to include his UNC basketball career in his Pro Football Hall of Fame locker exhibit.

Obviously, the choice to go pro in football was a good one.

Peppers played 17 NFL seasons and racked up 159.5 sacks, good for fourth all-time. He's a first ballot hall of famer.

Still, it's hard not to wonder what Peppers could have done on a professional basketball court.

Peppers is the only athlete to play in a Final Four and a Super Bowl.

WCNC Charlotte sat down with former UNC basketball coach Matt Doherty.

What kind of NBA career could Julius have had?

Doherty: "I think he could have played in the NBA for a long time. He could have played 15-17 years in the NBA. Maybe as a backup center, especially as the game evolved to small ball, because he could have handled the ball."

What was it like having Julius in college?

Doherty: "Could jump, had great hands. Had touch. Julius was smart. Julius was a smart basketball player. He picked up things that were very intricate. We didnt' play a simple style of basketball."

When you put him in a game, what could you expect?

Doherty: "A double-double. Julius could have played in the NBA. There's no doubt. He could defend, get in a stance and slide his feet. He had touch. He could handle the ball. He had a decent stroke from 15 feet."

Do you remember anything he did in practice that stood out?

Doherty: "In practice we were doing stations in the Smith Center. In a rebounding drill, he got the ball and just spread eagle, one-hand tomahawk dunked on a freshman. It was so emphatic that we all stopped and turned and looked."

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