UNC’s NBA draft hopefuls begin pro journey in Chicago

2 min read
UNC’s NBA draft hopefuls begin pro journey in Chicago

UNC’s NBA draft hopefuls begin pro journey in Chicago

Three UNC basketball standouts head to the NBA draft combine in Chicago, looking to boost their stock before the June 23 draft.

UNC’s NBA draft hopefuls begin pro journey in Chicago

Three UNC basketball standouts head to the NBA draft combine in Chicago, looking to boost their stock before the June 23 draft.

Three North Carolina basketball stars are taking their talents to the Windy City this week, as the NBA draft combine kicks off Sunday in Chicago. Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, and Matt Able will all be looking to turn heads and boost their stock before the big night on June 23 in Brooklyn.

Wilson is generating serious buzz as a potential top-five pick, currently sitting at No. 3 overall in USA TODAY Sports' rankings, with ESPN and The Athletic slotting him at No. 4. Veesaar is projected as a late first-rounder, landing at No. 25 in ESPN's mock draft and No. 27 in both The Athletic and USA TODAY Sports. Meanwhile, Able comes in at No. 42 overall on ESPN's board, though he was left out of The Athletic's most recent projections.

The draft lottery, airing live on ABC at 3 p.m. Sunday, will give fans an early hint at where these Tar Heels might land—especially for Wilson, who's expected to hear his name called early in the first round.

Able's journey is particularly intriguing. After entering the transfer portal and testing the draft waters on April 6, he committed to North Carolina on April 21. He's expected to enroll this summer and begin his Tar Heels career, unless a late surge in his draft stock changes plans before the May 27 NCAA early entry withdrawal deadline.

The combine will put these players through the paces with official measurements, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, and optional scrimmages. But it's not just about the numbers—Wilson, Veesaar, and Able will also have valuable face time with NBA teams and media, making every interaction count.

For Tar Heels faithful, this is a chance to see the next generation of UNC talent take their first steps toward the professional stage. Whether they're projected lottery picks or late-round hopefuls, Chicago is where their NBA dreams start to take shape.

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