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The college basketball campaign is still weeks away, but the NBA's 2026-27 season tipped off Tuesday with the New York Knicks raising their championship banner. The rest of the league opens Wednesday, and when the balls go up, 13 former North Carolina Tar Heels will be on NBA rosters.
Below is a complete rundown of those players, their current teams, and their statistical output from the 2025-26 season.
Rookies and Newcomers
Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls): Wilson begins his professional career after Chicago selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Henri Veesaar (Atlanta Hawks): A second-round selection by Atlanta in 2026, Veesaar suffered an injury during training camp and is expected to sit out the entire season.
Drake Powell (Brooklyn Nets): The former five-star recruit was taken No. 22 overall by Brooklyn in the 2025 NBA Draft. In 63 games last season, he averaged 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while starting 24 times.
Two-Way and G League Contracts
Caleb Love (Philadelphia 76ers): Love, who also played at Arizona, is on a two-way contract with Philadelphia and the Delaware Blue Coats. He posted 10.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 49 games last season, making one start.
Harrison Ingram (Utah Jazz): A second-round pick by San Antonio in 2024, Ingram saw limited minutes over two seasons with the Spurs and is now with Utah seeking a fresh start. He averaged 1.6 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.1 assists in seven games last season.
Cormac Ryan (Milwaukee Bucks): Ryan played one season at North Carolina after stops at Stanford and Notre Dame. Undrafted, he has split time between the NBA and G League and remains with Milwaukee. Last season he averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 11 games, starting twice.
Leaky Black (Sacramento Kings/Stockton Kings): Black went undrafted in 2023 and signed a two-way deal with Charlotte. After bouncing between the NBA and G League, he is now in the Sacramento organization. He averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 15 games last season, starting nine.
Pete Nance (Milwaukee Bucks): Nance spent one season at North Carolina after transferring from Northwestern. He signed a two-way contract with Milwaukee just two days before the 2026-27 season. Last season he averaged 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 47 games, starting six.
Standard Contracts
Day'Ron Sharpe (Brooklyn Nets): A former five-star recruit who played one season at North Carolina (2021-22), Sharpe was drafted by Phoenix and then traded to Brooklyn. In Summer 2026, he re-signed with the Nets on a two-year, $20 million deal. He averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 62 games last season, starting seven.
Cameron Johnson (Denver Nuggets): After two seasons at North Carolina, Johnson was the No. 11 overall pick by Phoenix in 2019. He was later traded to Brooklyn and then to Denver before last season, where he is expected to play a key role. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 54 games last season, all starts.
Coby White (Charlotte Hornets): The former No. 7 overall pick by Chicago was traded to Charlotte at last season's deadline. He signed a new contract in the offseason and is projected to be a key contributor. He averaged 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 50 games last season, starting 26.
Tony Bradley (Utah Jazz): A one-and-done center at North Carolina, Bradley has played for several teams but returns to Utah, where he began his career. He averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 41 games last season, starting four.
Harrison Barnes (San Antonio Spurs): The longest-tenured former Tar Heel in the NBA, Barnes is entering his 15th season and his third with San Antonio. He hopes to help the Spurs return to the NBA Finals. Last season he averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 77 games, starting 52.
Key Analysis
The 2026-27 group of former Tar Heels reflects a wide range of NBA paths, from a top-five rookie in Wilson to a 15-year veteran in Barnes. The presence of two-way contracts and G League assignments for Love, Ingram, Ryan, Black, and Nance highlights the increasingly fluid nature of NBA rosters. Meanwhile, established players like Johnson, White, and Sharpe are positioned for significant roles, and Barnes continues to provide leadership for a San Antonio team with playoff aspirations.
Originally reported by yahoo.