The NBA season is officially underway, and while we’re still waiting for college basketball to tip off, it’s a huge moment for thirteen former North Carolina Tar Heels who are suiting up across the league. Opening Night went down on Tuesday, and with the New York Knicks raising their banner, the rest of the league, including our UNC alums, tipped off on Wednesday night. That’s a serious number of Tar Heels making their mark, but not everyone is starting the season healthy.
Rookies and Setbacks: The New Class Hits the NBA Hard
Our guys are making moves right out of the gate, especially the fresh faces. Caleb Wilson, a beast of a forward, is heading into his first NBA season after the Chicago Bulls snagged him as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That’s a top-five pick straight out of Chapel Hill, folks! Talk about making an immediate impact.
But it’s not all sunshine and highlight reels for the rookies. Henri Veesaar, who the Atlanta Hawks picked up in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, got hit with some brutal news early on. He suffered an injury during training camp and is now expected to miss the *entire* season. Man, that’s just tough to hear for any player, especially a rookie looking to prove himself. We’ll be pulling for a speedy recovery for Veesaar.
Tar Heel Veterans Making Their Mark and Finding New Homes
Beyond the fresh draftees, we’ve got a strong contingent of Tar Heel veterans making plays and finding their spots. Drake Powell, a former five-star recruit, is back for the Brooklyn Nets after being taken No. 22 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He put up some solid numbers last season, averaging 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 63 appearances, starting in 24 of those. That’s real playing time and production.
Caleb Love, a standout from both North Carolina and Arizona, is rocking a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and their G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. He saw action in 49 games last season, with one start, posting averages of 10.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. He’s working his way up, no doubt. Harrison Ingram, a second-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024 NBA Draft, is looking for a fresh start with the Utah Jazz after two seasons with limited playing time. He averaged 1.6 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.1 assists in 7 games last season. And then there’s Cormac Ryan, a guard who’s with the Milwaukee Brewers to kick off the season.
So, as the NBA season gets into full swing, keep an eye on these 13 former Tar Heels. We’ve got rookies ready to shine, others battling back from injury, and veterans carving out their roles. It’s going to be wild to see how their stories unfold this year!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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