This topic contains 2 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar rickybobby 12 years ago.

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  • #37824
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    rickybobby
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  • #653022
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    tjmartin23
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    Draft outlook for UNC’s top prospects 

    March, 29, 2012

    MAR 29
    3:44
    PM ET
    North Carolina StartersGrant Halverson/Getty ImagesWith Marshall, Barnes, Henson and Zeller gone, the Heels’ starting lineup will look a lot different.

     

     

    On Thursday, North Carolina announced that Harrison BarnesJohn Henson and Kendall Marshallwill all enter the 2012 NBA draft.

     

     

    Factor in senior Tyler Zeller and another freshman, James Michael McAdoo, who is still deciding about his draft future, and the Tar Heels could have as many as five lottery picks in this year’s draft. Here’s a look at each of their situations moving forward.

     

     

    Of the three players that declared today, Barnes’ stock is still the highest. Both last year and this year, Barnes was considered a possibility for the No. 1 pick. He’s played well, but not up to the standard that scouts had projected him. Barnes is a terrific shooter, is unafraid to keep firing and can defend multiple positions. But at times he looks one dimensional on offense and can disappear or coast for stretches. Barnes’ struggles handling the ball often limit his ability to get shots where he wants them. That was never more evident than in the last two games of the season for UNC without Kendall Marshall. We currently have Barnes ranked No. 8 on our Big Board and have him going No. 7 to the Sacramento Kings in our latest Mock Draft. Barnes, however, could still go higher with great workouts. A number of teams including the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors could use a player like Barnes and could pull the trigger earlier.

     

     

    No one has helped their draft stock more over the past few weeks than Marshall. Yes, he broke his hand and was unable to play in the Sweet 16. But Carolina’s struggles without Marshall on the floor highlighted how important he was to the team. Marshall is the best passer in college basketball. He’s unselfish and makes everyone around him better. The questions for Marshall surround his lack of elite athleticism and his ability to guard the ultra quick point guards at the NBA level. Marshall also needs to improve his jump shot.

     

     

    In a normal draft, a prospect like Marshall is probably a mid- to late-first round pick. However, this is a very weak point guard class and a number of teams in the lottery including the Utah JazzPhoenix SunsNew Orleans Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers all need point guards. Currently we have him ranked as the No. 2 point guard in his class behind Weber State’s Damian Lillard. Marshall’s ranked No. 17 on our Big Board but is projected to go five spots higher than that in our Mock Draft at No. 12 to the Hornets. He could go as high as No. 9 to the Jazz.

     

     

    Henson is the hardest player to peg. He’s a freak athlete, is loooooooong, is a terrific shot blocker and has an emerging game on the offensive end. He plays hard, is unselfish and has put a lot of work into his game. However, he has a super thin frame and lacks a clear position at the next level. Most of the NBA scouts I’ve spoken with struggle to project him at the next level. Someone will likely take him in the late lottery based on his talent and production, but he’s not seen as a sure thing by scouts. We have him ranked No. 15 on our Big Board and going No. 15 in our Mock Draft to the Houston Rockets. He could go a few spots higher or lower, but that’s his range.

     

     

    The Tar Heels will also lose Zeller to the draft this year. Zeller is coming off a phenomenal senior season and projects as one of the top centers in the draft. He’s big, runs the floor, and has a soft touch around the basket. Zeller had one of the best college PER’s of any player this season and you can make an argument that he was North Carolina’s most productive player. Currently we have Zeller ranked No. 11 on our Big Board and have him going to the Blazers with the No. 11 pick our latest Mock.

     

     

    One other Tar Heel, McAdoo, is also reportedly considering declaring for the draft but right now appears to be leaning toward returning for his sophomore season. McAdoo’s father told ESPN.com "He’s coming home this weekend, and we’ll talk about the pros and cons; he’ll weigh the decision. But right now, his mother and I expect to see him in a Tar Heel uniform again next season."

     

     

    McAdoo played a reserve role on the Tar Heels this year, but NBA scouts and GMs love his upside. He currently is ranked No. 7 on our Big Board and is projected to go No. 10 to the Milwaukee Bucks in our Mock Draft if he does declare.

     

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  • #653025
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    rickybobby
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     Thanks tjmartin23

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