North Carolina Tar Heels: Jackson and Meeks test waters
The North Carolina Tar Heels had two more players declare for the draft.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are looking at curious situation that has happened to them before. Sophomore Justin Jackson and junior Kennedy Meeks have decided to enter their names in the NBA Draft and not hire agents. The pair will be able to get feedback on their draft stock by participating in the workout process.
For what is worth, NBADraft.net lists Jackson as a late first rounder in the 2017 draft and makes no mention of Kennedy Meeks at all.
Still the two will get to go through some of the draft process. Perhaps it will do them some good to hear about the things that they can and cannot do from a different voice in the room. It does not make much sense for either to leave if all they get is a second round draft grade.
This is different than J.P. Tokoto’s draft experience last year. Tokoto saw a diminished role for himself where he would not get an opportunity to improve his draft stock. Meeks and Jackson will be key parts of next year’s Tar Heel team, particularly with the need to fill the holes left by Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson.
Most likely they tell Jackson to work on his shot and Meeks to work on his explosiveness. Then both return to the Heels before they can no longer pull out of the NBA Draft.
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The Tar Heels faced a similar situation in 2008 when Danny Green, Ty Lawson, and Wayne Ellington explored the draft waters. They had just been to the Final Four and Tyler Hansbrough had decided to return. The three of them ultimately pulled out of the draft but took the gained knowledge into the 2008-9 season that ended with the National Championship.
The 2016-7 Tar Heels aren’t exactly the 2009 edition. Fresh off a National Championship game appearance, the Heels are trying to hold together that team for one more shot with new freshman faces contributing. The chances for them to do that without Jackson and Meeks are low.
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Behind all of this is the pending NCAA process. If the possibility of sanctions next season has encouraged Jackson and Meeks to explore their options, only they can say. Roy Williams has been quite adamant that the basketball team will not fall under sanction, but no one knows for sure. This is the same NCAA who ramrodded Penn State and then more quietly commuted some of the penalties.
Next: All UNC 2016 NBA Playoff Team
Until then, the NBA Playoffs offer some reflection of recent Tar Heel basketball. With the lengthened first round schedule, all thirteen UNC players are still active.