What every Tar Heel fan wished for may actually come true. FoxSports.com is reporting that Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green will all take their name out of the NBA Draft today (via ACC Now) ."They are all going back to school," one source said. "None of them were 100 percent sure they would be taken in the first round."It isn't totally surprising that Ellington or Green would be returning (Ellington, at best, was a 2nd round pick; Green may not have been drafted at all) ... but it is quite surprising that Lawson will. Lawson, many thought, had a guarantee from the Denver Nuggets that he'd be taken with their #20 pick if still available (both the team and Lawson denied this). Also, Lawson had the look of a guy that just didn't want to come back to the school and had his mind made up to go.
Lawson also had that little arrest in Chapel Hill that many thought would sour the already perceived strained relationship he had with the school. He most likely will deal with some sort of punishment from coach Roy Williams and will definitely hear it at opposing ACC arenas.
If this is true, UNC will be the overwhelming favorite to win the NCAA Tournament next year. They would return everyone except reserve guard Quentin Thomas and reserve center Alex Stepheson (transferring closer to his L.A. home for family issues). The Heels also return reigning player of the year Tyler Hansbrough, get back the injured Bobby Frasor and welcome in McDonald's All Americans Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller and Larry Drew.
UPDATE: ESPN.com is reporting that Ellington and Green have officially taken their names out of the draft ... but are awaiting word on Lawson's intentions.
UPDATE 2: It's official. The Tarheel Athletic Department Website has a press release announcing that all three will return for the 2008-09 season.
NBA Draft Decisions
Ty Lawson, North Carolina | Soph. | Returning
Lawson said he would enter the draft if he could get a top-20 guarantee, but an arrest for drinking and driving last week left his draft slot in jeopardy. With Lawson back, North Carolina is the prohibitive title favorite.
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
Mario Chalmers, Kansas | Junior | Agent: Yes
Say this for Chalmers, we know he can deliver in the clutch. After delivering one of the biggest 3-pointers in NCAA Tournament history, Chalmers will likely ride his hot streak into the late first round of the NBA Draft.
Eric Gaay, AP
Joe Alexander, WVU | Junior | Agent: Yes
Alexander is this year's poster boy for striking while the iron is hot. He emerged as one of the nations' best players under Bob Huggins then all but singlehandedly carried the Mountaineers into the Sweet 16.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Wayne Ellington, North Carolina | Soph. | Returning
Carolina's erratic No. 2 scoring threat vastly underperformed in the NBA pre-draft camp, likely bouncing him into the second round. Without a first-round guarantee, Ellington opted to return.
Matt York, AP
Bill Walker, Kansas State | RS-Freshman | Agent: Yes
There's not much drama here as Michael Beasley's running mate, who contributed a series of highlight plays and one infamous towel incident, makes his departure official.
Danny Green, North Carolina | Junior | Returning
Word leaked out over the weekend that Green would return. His draft stock ranged from low second round to undrafted.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Marreese Speights, Florida | Sophomore | Agent: Yes Speights broke through last season on a rebuilding Florida team and decided to stay in the draft with projections ranging anywhere from the middle of the end of the first round.
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Kevin Love, UCLA | Freshman | Agent: Yes
Love's stock has soared in pre-draft workouts as he's melted away extra pounds. The sweet-passing Bruin is likely now a top-five pick.
Mark J. Terrill, AP
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis | Junior | Agent: YesCollege basketball's three-letter All-American signed with an agent quickly out of college and after a series of solid workouts projects somwhere in the 20s.
Bill Waugh, AP
D.J. Augustin, Texas | Sophomore | Agent: YesAugustin carried the Longhorns without Kevin Durant and raised his draft stock in the process. His small stature may scare off some teams, but the point guard is a lottery lock.
Harry Cabluck, AP
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2008 @ 2:36PM
Bow Wow Chow said...
In related news, Mike Krap-ewie's back is acting up again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
6-17-2008 @ 5:36AM
Buzz said...
I wonder how much those boosters pay at NC to get all the top players year after year? The only good thing about that team winning it all, is that Duke won't.
Reply