UNC basketball coaches are wearing special sneakers against Syracuse. Here’s why
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- UNC coaches wearing custom sneakers painted by pediatric cancer patients.
- Shoes 4 Hope event connected players and patients for art, hospital tours and fundraising.
- Autographed pairs are auctioned with proceeds to UNC Health Pediatric Hematology‑Oncology.
The Tar Heels’ Monday night opponent may have been Syracuse, but UNC assistant coach Sean May already knew he has his own staff beat.
When No. 14 North Carolina tipped off against the Orange, May — along with the rest of UNC’s coaching staff — wore custom sneakers painted by local pediatric cancer patients. Sixteen-year-old Riley Darcy of Burlington, who has been receiving treatment for leukemia since June 2024, is the artist behind May’s pair. She added Carolina blue accents to a clean, minimalist design that she hopes will look “nice and classy, but still shows Carolina pride.”
The shoes were created during a Dec. 14 Shoes 4 Hope event, when Tar Heel players and coaches hosted kids from UNC Children’s Hospital for a day of shoe painting, basketball and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Dean E. Smith Center. The student-led initiative partners college teams with pediatric cancer patients, giving kids a creative outlet — and a break from treatment — while raising money for hospital programs.
The shoes worn by North Carolina’s staff Monday night are currently up for auction. You can place a bid on the autographed pairs here, with proceeds going to UNC Health Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.
May might have a hard time parting with his kicks, though.
“I know I’m gonna be in good hands. She does a phenomenal job…I’m excited,” May told the N&O in December. “It goes back to her. For her to be able to just have a smile on her face, knowing what she has and what she’s facing — she’s tougher than all of us.”
Throughout the December event, players rotated through the gym, learning the kids’ stories while shooting hoops and helping out with their designs.
“It’s important for us,” UNC junior Jarin Stevenson told the N&O in December. “It helps build our character and helps us feel more grounded with our community. That’s why I enjoy it.”
By the end of the event, tables were covered in finished shoes, each telling a story the UNC coaching staff will now carry onto the Smith Center floor Monday night.
Darcy’s story, like those of so many of the artists behind the sneakers, is one of perseverance.
“Throughout my journey, there’s been times where I’ve really wanted to give up,” Darcy said, “but I’ve taken a look at myself and people around me, and just kept in mind, don’t give up. Just keep pushing like. It might be a hard time now, but in the long run, it would be better for you.”
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 6:18 PM with the headline "UNC basketball coaches are wearing special sneakers against Syracuse. Here’s why."