PREVIEW: Here's where a few former Tar Heels could end up in the NBA draft

Thursday's NBA Draft will be a busy one for North Carolina men's basketball, as up to four former Tar Heels could end up hearing their names called. Here's where members of our sports desk think they could end up, and on what team they'd be best suited.

Coby White, guard

Jerome Simpson, staff writer: In November, most NBA draft boards didn't have Coby White ranked as a first-round talent; now, he's primed to be a lottery pick. After taking North Carolina by storm, White is ready for the next level. 

White's breakaway speed in the open court has been discussed ad nauseam, but other aspects of his game have come a long way, enough to make him the favorite to be the first Tar Heel drafted.

Of course, the Goldsboro, N.C. native has room to grow. At the next level, he'll need to limit his live ball turnovers and continue to develop into a floor general in the half-court. NBA teams will want him to bump up his 4.1 assists per game.

But White has effectively molded himself into a well-balanced scorer. Yes, he’s got the open court speed of John Wall or De’Aaron Fox, but he's also flashed the split dribble of Kyrie Irving and shades of James Harden step-backs. He has the potential to be an elite shot creator.

White is projected as high as No. 5 overall to Cleveland, but most draft boards have him going No. 7 overall to Chicago. The Bulls haven’t hidden their desires to upgrade at the point guard position; after three years in the league, Kris Dunn has left organizations with more questions than answers.

Pairing the 6-foot-5 White with Zach LaVine in the backcourt, along with the developing Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt, could push the Bulls into contention in a few years.

Nassir Little, forward

Matthew Audilet, staff writer: If you were making predictions about Nassir Little’s draft position at the beginning of this past season and you said he wouldn’t be a lottery pick, you would get some funny looks. Now it looks as though the Tar Heel forward may barely even crack the top 10.

Coming out of high school, Little was ranked third in his class by 247Sports, and many outlets had him going somewhere in the top five of the 2019 draft.

While Little did provide valuable contributions to this year’s team, he averaged just under 10 points per game coming off the bench for head coach Roy Williams, leading many to believe his draft stock has slipped.

Still, Little has attributes that are enticing to any NBA team. His high motor and incredible athleticism make him an excellent slasher and finisher. And at 6-foot-6, 224 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he is more than ready physically for the NBA game. Little's handle and ability to create his own shot are where he can improve.

Little’s build and style of play is similar to that of Hawks forward Taurean Prince. Both are excellent defenders who can guard any position. Prince is also a recently improved shooter, something Little also needs to work on if he wants to have a long NBA career.

If Little falls, expect the Washington Wizards to take him with the ninth pick. For years, the Wizards have been looking for someone to push them to Eastern Conference contention; now primed for a rebuild or retool around Bradley Beal, Little's high upside could be the infusion of talent they need. 

Cameron Johnson, forward

Audilet: If Cam Johnson proved anything in his college career, it’s this: he can handle a transition. The graduate transfer arrived at UNC and had an immediate impact in his two years in Chapel Hill. With his style of play, it would be no surprise if Johnson seamlessly made the jump to the next level.

Averaging 47.5 percent from 3-point range last year and standing at nearly 6-foot-9, Johnson is an attractive pick for any team looking for a knock-down shooter with the ability to shoot over smaller defenders. His skillset makes him a perfect piece to pair with players who can draw more than one defender, freeing him out on the wing for open shots.

The most immediate concern teams may have with Johnson is his age; at 23 years old, he's older than some young NBA stars. On the other hand, Johnson is a lower risk than others, as teams don’t have to wonder whether he’ll reach his potential: he’s seemingly already there.

Johnson’s upside is similar to that of Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton. Neither will dazzle you with athletic ability, but both have a smooth jumper and the option to pull up over smaller defenders from beyond the arc.

With the 21st pick and a desperate need for three-point shooting, the Oklahoma City Thunder would be an ideal landing spot for Johnson. Opposing defenses would have to focus most of their energy on Russell Westbrook and Paul George, making Johnson a great scoring option on the wing.

Luke Maye, forward

Andrew Reynolds, staff writer: Though he's not expected to be drafted, Maye has worked out with multiple NBA teams, the most interesting of which is the Charlotte Hornets, Maye’s hometown team that has the 52nd pick in the draft.

As far as NBA comparisons, Kris Humphries comes to mind, a player that didn't receive significant minutes but contributed in multiple categories. Humphries posted a career 46.3 percent shooting from the field while averaging 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game at the power forward spot.

Maye's smaller build for his position and lack of athleticism have been well documented, but his aggressiveness crashing the boards, which lead to him posting double digits rebounds in the ACC, will help any NBA team. Maye’s leadership and high basketball IQ will also help his NBA chances moving forward.

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