April 2019 Basketball Wiretap

RJ Hampton Reclassifies For 2019 Collegiate Class, Potentially 2020 NBA Draft

Apr 30, 2019 12:07 PM

RJ Hampton will graduate high school early and reclassify to 2019.

Hampton will be eligible for collegiate basketball this summer and could declare for the 2020 NBA Draft. Hampton was the No. 4 recruit in the ESPN 100 class of 2020.

"I've decided to reclassify to the 2019 class," Hampton told ESPN. "I am doing this because I feel that from a development standpoint, this is the right move for me at this time in order to play against the highest level of competition possible. I am eager to test myself against older and more physically developed players in order to help improve my weaknesses and prepare me for reaching the ultimate goal of playing in the NBA."

ESPN has moved Hampton to No. 6 in their 2020 mock draft.

"This is a move we've been contemplating for some time and we don't take lightly," RJ Hampton's father, Rod, told ESPN. "As someone that played in college as well as professionally in Europe, I know that you can't skip steps in a player's development. Thankfully, because of the hard work that RJ has put in in the classroom -- achieving a 3.75 GPA and a 1280 SAT -- he was able to have this option. This weekend playing against the top players in high school basketball at the Nike EYBL, as well as earlier this month at USA Basketball, my wife Markita and I realized that RJ is ready to take the next step and challenge himself by taking the next step in level of competition."

Hampton is considering Kentucky, Kansas, Memphis and Texas Tech.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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RealGM Radio: Sam Vecenie On the 2019 and 2020 NBA Drafts

Apr 25, 2019 6:18 PM

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and draft expert Sam Vecenie of The Athletic (@Sam_Vecenie) discuss the 2019 and 2020 draft classes.

They talk about how the NCAA Tournament affected the 2019 Draft, where Ja Morant fits in now and peculiar nature of this class plus a preview of 2020 after the recent showcases around the country.

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233 Early Entry Candidates For 2019 NBA Draft Announced

Apr 24, 2019 9:00 AM

The NBA announces 233 players -- 175 players from colleges and other educational institutions and 58 international players -- have filed as early entry candidates for the 2019 NBA Draft.

Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 10. Under NCAA rules, in order to retain college basketball eligibility, underclassmen who have entered the 2019 Draft must withdraw by Wednesday, May 29. 

Following is the list of players from colleges and other educational institutions who have applied for early entry into the 2019 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. 

EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2019 NBA DRAFT 

Milan Acquaah, California Baptist, 6-3, Sophomore 

Bryce Aiken, Harvard, 6-0, Junior 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech, 6-5, Sophomore 

Al-Wajid Aminu, North Florida 6-7, Junior 

Desmond Bane, TCU, 6-5, Junior 

RJ Barrett, Duke, 6-7, Freshman 

Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky, 6-11, Freshman 

Tyus Battle, Syracuse, 6-6, Junior 

Troy Baxter Jr., FGCU, 6-8, Sophomore 

Darius Bazley, Princeton HS (OH), 6-9, Post-Graduate 

Kerry Blackshear Jr., Virginia Tech, 6-10, Junior 

Phil Bledsoe, Glenville State (WV), 6-6, Junior 

Bol Bol, Oregon, 7-2, Freshman 

Marques Bolden, Duke, 6-11, Junior 

Jordan Bone, Tennessee, 6-3, Junior 

Ky Bowman, Boston College, 6-1, Junior 

DaQuan Bracey, Louisiana Tech, 5-11, Junior 

Keith Braxton, St. Francis (PA), 6-4, Junior 

Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan, 6-7, Freshman 

Oshae Brissett, Syracuse, 6-8, Sophomore 

Armoni Brooks, Houston, 6-3, Junior 

Charlie Brown Jr., St. Joseph’s, 6-7, Sophomore 

Moses Brown, UCLA, 7-1, Freshman 

Nico Carvacho, Colorado State, 6-11, Junior 

Yoeli Childs, BYU, 6-8, Junior 

Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga, 6-8, Junior 

Nicolas Claxton, Georgia, 6-11, Sophomore 

Amir Coffey, Minnesota, 6-8, Junior 

RJ Cole, Howard, 6-1, Sophomore 

Tyler Cook, Iowa, 6-9, Junior 

Anthony Cowan Jr., Maryland, 6-0, Junior 

Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech, 6-5, Sophomore 

Jarron Cumberland, Cincinnati, 6-5, Junior 

Caleb Daniels, Tulane, 6-4, Sophomore 

Tulio Da Silva, Missouri State, 6-8, Junior 

Aubrey Dawkins, UCF, 6-6, Junior 

Javin DeLaurier, Duke, 6-10, Junior 

Silvio De Sousa, Kansas, 6-9, Sophomore 

Mamadi Diakite, Virginia, 6-9, Junior 

Alpha Diallo, Providence, 6-7, Junior 

James Dickey, UNCG, 6-10, Junior 

David DiLeo, Central Michigan, 6-7, Junior 

Davon Dillard, Shaw (NC), 6-5, Junior 

Luguentz Dort, Arizona State, 6-4, Freshman 

Devon Dotson, Kansas, 6-2, Freshman 

Jason Draggs, Lee College (TX), 6-9, Freshman 

Aljami Durham, Indiana, 6-4, Sophomore 

Carsen Edwards, Purdue, 6-1, Junior 

CJ Elleby, Washington State, 6-6, Freshman 

Steven Enoch, Louisville, 6-10, Junior 

Bruno Fernando, Maryland, 6-10, Sophomore 

Jaylen Fisher, TCU, 6-2, Junior 

Savion Flagg, Texas A&M, 6-7, Sophomore 

Daniel Gafford, Arkansas, 6-11, Sophomore 

Darius Garland, Vanderbilt, 6-2, Freshman 

Eugene German, Northern Illinois, 6-0, Junior 

TJ Gibbs, Notre Dame, 6-3, Junior 

Quentin Goodin, Xavier, 6-4, Junior 

Tony Goodwin II, Redemption Christian Academy (MA), 6-6, Post-Graduate 

Kellan Grady, Davidson, 6-5, Sophomore 

Devonte Green, Indiana, 6-3, Junior 

Quentin Grimes, Kansas, 6-5, Freshman 

Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Davidson, 6-4, Junior 

Kyle Guy, Virginia, 6-2, Junior 

Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga, 6-8, Junior 

Jaylen Hands, UCLA, 6-3, Sophomore 

Jerrick Harding, Weber State, 6-1, Junior 

Jared Harper, Auburn, 5-11, Junior 

Kevon Harris, Stephen F. Austin, 6-6, Junior 

Jaxson Hayes, Texas, 6-11, Freshman 

Dewan Hernandez, Miami, 6-11, Junior 

Tyler Herro, Kentucky, 6-5, Freshman 

Amir Hinton, Shaw (NC), 6-5, Junior 

Jaylen Hoard, Wake Forest, 6-8, Freshman 

Daulton Hommes, Point Loma Nazarene (CA), 6-8, Junior 

Talen Horton-Tucker, Iowa State, 6-4, Freshman 

De’Andre Hunter, Virginia 6-7, Sophomore 

Ty Jerome, Virginia, 6-5, Junior 

Jayce Johnson, Utah, 7-0, Junior 

Keldon Johnson, Kentucky, 6-6, Freshman 

Markell Johnson, North Carolina State, 6-1, Junior 

Tyrique Jones, Xavier, 6-9, Junior 

Mfiondu Kabengele, Florida State, 6-10, Sophomore 

Sacha Killeya-Jones, NC State, 6-11, Junior 

Louis King, Oregon, 6-9, Freshman 

V.J. King, Louisville, 6-6, Junior 

Nathan Knight, William & Mary, 6-10, Junior 

Sagaba Konate, West Virginia, 6-8, Junior 

Martin Krampelj, Creighton, 6-9, Junior 

Romeo Langford, Indiana, 6-6, Freshman 

Cameron Lard, Iowa State, 6-9, Sophomore 

A.J. Lawson, South Carolina, 6-6, Freshman 

Dedric Lawson, Kansas, 6-9, Junior 

Jalen Lecque, Brewster Academy (NH), 6-3, Post-Graduate 

Jacob Ledoux, Texas-Permian Basin, 6-3, Junior 

Nassir Little, North Carolina, 6-6, Freshman 

Tevin Mack, Alabama, 6-6, Junior 

Malik Maitland, Bethune-Cookman, 5-9, Guard 

Trevor Manuel, Olivet (MI), 6-9, Junior 

Jermaine Marrow, Hampton, 6-0, Junior 

Naji Marshall, Xavier, 6-7, Sophomore 

Charles Matthews, Michigan, 6-6, Junior 

Skylar Mays, LSU, 6-4, Junior 

Jalen McDaniels, San Diego State, 6-10, Sophomore 

Davion Mintz, Creighton, 6-3, Junior 

EJ Montgomery, Kentucky, 6-10, Freshman 

Ja Morant, Murray State, 6-3, Sophomore 

Andrew Nembhard Florida 6-5 Freshman 

Kouat Noi, TCU, 6-7, Sophomore 

Zach Norvell Jr., Gonzaga, 6-5, Sophomore 

Jaylen Nowell, Washington, 6-4, Sophomore 

Joel Ntambwe, UNLV, 6-9, Freshman 

Jordan Nwora, Louisville, 6-8, Sophomore 

Chuma Okeke, Auburn, 6-8, Sophomore 

KZ Okpala, Stanford, 6-9, Sophomore 

Miye Oni, Yale, 6-6, Junior 

Devonte Patterson, Prairie View A&M, 6-7, Junior 

Reggie Perry, Mississippi State, 6-10, Freshman 

Lamar Peters, Mississippi State, 6-0, Junior 

Filip Petrusev, Gonzaga, 6-11, Freshman 

Jalen Pickett, Siena, 6-4, Freshman 

Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s, 6-1, Junior 

Jordan Poole, Michigan, 6-5, Sophomore 

Cletrell Pope, Bethune-Cookman, 6-9, Junior 

Nik Popovic, Boston College, 6-11, Junior 

Jontay Porter, Missouri, 6-11, Sophomore 

Kevin Porter Jr., USC, 6-6, Freshman 

Myles Powell, Seton Hall, 6-2, Junior 

Payton Pritchard, Oregon, 6-2, Junior 

Neemias Queta, Utah State, 6-11, Freshman 

Brandon Randolph, Arizona, 6-6, Sophomore 

Cam Reddish, Duke, 6-8, Freshman 

Isaiah Reese, Canisius, 6-5, Junior 

Naz Reid, LSU, 6-10, Freshman 

Nick Richards, Kentucky, 6-11, Sophomore 

LaQuincy Rideau, South Florida, 6-1, Junior 

Austin Robinson, Kentucky Christian, 6-2, Sophomore 

Isaiah Roby, Nebraska, 6-8, Junior 

Ayinde Russell, Morehouse, 6-3, Junior 

Kevin Samuel, TCU, 6-11, Freshman 

Paul Scruggs, Xavier, 6-3, Sophomore 

Samir Sehic, Tulane, 6-9, Junior 

Josh Sharkey, Samford, 5-10, Junior 

Simisola Shittu, Vanderbilt, 6-10, Freshman 

Nike Sibande, Miami (OH), 6-4, Sophomore 

Justin Simon, St. John’s, 6-5, Junior 

D’Marcus Simonds, Georgia State, 6-3, Junior 

Ja’Vonte Smart, LSU, 6-4, Freshman 

Justin Smith, Indiana, 6-7, Sophomore 

Derrik Smits, Valparaiso, 7-1, Junior 

Lamar Stevens, Penn State, 6-8, Junior 

Jalen Sykes, St. Clair College (Canada), 6-5, Junior 

Marlon Taylor, LSU, 6-6, Junior 

Ethan Thompson, Oregon State, 6-5, Sophomore 

Killian Tillie, Gonzaga, 6-10, Junior 

Donnie Tillman, Utah, 6-7, Sophomore 

Tres Tinkle, Oregon State, 6-8, Junior 

Obi Toppin, Dayton, 6-9, Freshman 

Rayjon Tucker, Arkansas-Little Rock, 6-5, Junior 

Justin Turner, Bowling Green, 6-4, Sophomore 

Nick Ward, Michigan State, 6-8, Junior 

PJ Washington Jr., Kentucky, 6-8, Sophomore 

Tremont Waters, LSU, 5-11, Sophomore 

Kaleb Wesson, Ohio State, 6-9, Sophomore 

Coby White, North Carolina, 6-5, Freshman 

Jimmy Whitt Jr., SMU, 6-3, Junior 

Joe Wieskamp, Iowa, 6-6, Freshman 

Lindell Wigginton, Iowa State, 6-2, Sophomore 

Kris Wilkes, UCLA, 6-8, Sophomore 

Charles Williams, Howard, 6-6, Junior 

Emmitt Williams, LSU, 6-7, Freshman 

Grant Williams, Tennessee, 6-7, Junior 

Zion Williamson, Duke, 6-7, Freshman 

Holland Woods II, Portland State, 6-0, Sophomore 

Kenny Wooten, Oregon, 6-9, Sophomore 

The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2019 NBA Draft: 

Dikembe Andre Paulistano (Brazil) 6-9, 1999 DOB 

Darko Bajo Cedevita (Croatia) 6-10, 1999 DOB 

Aleksander Balcerowski Gran Canaria (Spain) 7-1, 2000 DOB 

Goga Bitadze Buducnost (Montenegro) 7-0, 1999 DOB 

Vrenz Bleijenbergh Antwerp (Belgium) 6-9, 2000 DOB 

Adrian Bogucki Radom (Poland) 7-1, 1999 DOB 

Leandro Bolmaro Barcelona (Spain) 6-6, 2000 DOB 

Ognjen Carapic Mega Bemax (Serbia) 6-4, 1998 DOB 

Leo Cizmic Girona (Spain) 6-8, 1998 DOB 

Digue Diawara Pau Orthez (France) 6-9, 1998 DOB 

Nenad Dimitrijevic Joventut (Spain) 6-1, 1998 DOB 

Felipe Dos Anjos Melilla (Spain) 7-2, 1998 DOB 

Yago Dos Santos Paulistano (Brazil) 5-10, 1999 DOB 

Sekou Doumbouya Limoges (France) 6-8, 2000 DOB 

Henri Drell Baunach (Germany) 6-9, 2000 DOB 

Paul Eboua Roseto (Italy) 6-8, 2000 DOB 

Osas Ehigiator Fuenlabrada (Spain) 6-10, 1999 DOB 

Biram Faye Avila (Spain) 6-9, 2000 DOB 

Ivan Fevrier Levallois (France) 6-9, 1999 DOB 

Aleix Font Barcelona (Spain) 6-4, 1998 DOB 

Philipp Herkenhoff Vechta (Germany) 6-10, 1999 DOB 

Dalibor Ilic Igokea (Bosnia) 6-8, 2000 DOB 

Matas Jogela Dzukija (Lithuania) 6-6, 1998 DOB 

Panagiotis Kalaitzakis Holargos (Greece) 6-6, 1999 DOB 

Mate Kalajzic Split (Croatia) 6-2, 1998 DOB 

Lukasz Kolenda Trefl Sopot (Poland) 6-5, 1999 DOB 

Marcos Louzada Silva Franca (Brazil) 6-5, 1999 DOB 

Andrija Marjanovic Mega Bemax (Serbia) 6-8, 1999 DOB 

Gytis Masiulis Neptunas (Lithuania) 6-9, 1998 DOB 

Jonas Mattisseck Alba Berlin (Germany) 6-5, 2000 DOB 

William McDowell-White Baunach (Germany) 6-5, 1998 DOB 

Nikita Mikhailovskii Avtodor (Russia) 6-6, 2000 DOB 

Nikola Miskovic Mega Bemax (Serbia) 6-10, 1999 DOB 

Adam Mokoka Mega Bemax (Serbia) 6-5, 1998 DOB 

Muhaymin Mustafa Tofas (Turkey) 6-5, 1999 DOB 

Toni Nakic Sibenik (Croatia) 6-8, 1999 DOB 

Abdoulaye N’Doye Cholet (France) 6-7, 1998 DOB 

Tanor Ngom Ryerson (Canada) 7-2, 1998 DOB 

Joshua Obiesie Wurzburg (Germany) 6-6, 2000 DOB 

David Okeke Fiat Torino (Italy) 6-8, 1998 DOB 

Louis Olinde Brose Baskets (Germany) 6-9, 1998 DOB 

Zoran Paunovic FMP (Serbia) 6-7, 2000 DOB 

Dino Radoncic Murcia (Spain) 6-8, 1999 DOB 

Sander Raieste Baskonia (Spain) 6-8, 1999 DOB 

Neal Sako Levallois (France) 6-10, 1998 DOB 

Luka Samanic Olimpija (Slovenia) 6-10, 2000 DOB 

Tadas Sedekerskis Baskonia (Spain) 6-8, 1998 DOB 

Njegos Sikiras Tormes (Spain) 6-9, 1999 DOB 

Borisa Simanic Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) 6-11, 1998 DOB 

Deividas Sirvydis Rytas (Lithuania) 6-7, 2000 DOB 

Khadim Sow ASVEL (France) 6-11, 1999 DOB 

Filip Stanic Mega Bemax (Serbia) 6-10, 1998 DOB 

Michael Uchendu Coruna (Spain) 6-10, 1998 DOB 

Bastien Vautier Nancy (France) 6-11, 1998 DOB 

Arnas Velicka Tartu Ulikool (Estonia) 6-4, 1999 DOB 

Warren Woghiren Cholet (France) 6-10, 1998 DOB 

Arturs Zagars Joventut (Spain) 6-3, 2000 DOB 

Yovel Zoosman Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) 6-7, 1998 DOB 

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Suns Could Have Interest In Trading Up For Ja Morant If They Fall Out Of Top-2

Apr 23, 2019 1:32 PM

The Phoenix Suns could have interest in trading up to No. 2 if a team ends up in that slot that already has a point guard.

The Suns, however, would draft Zion Williamson first overall if they were to win the lottery despite their need for a point guard.

The Suns have the best lottery odds along with the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

John Gambadoro/Arizona Sports 98.7

Tags: Ja Morant, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Cole Anthony Commits To North Carolina

Apr 23, 2019 9:14 AM

Cole Anthony has committed to North Carolina.

Anthony is the No. 2 recruit in the ESPN 100.

Anthony is the son of Greg Anthony.

ESPN

Tags: Cole Anthony, North Carolina Tar Heels, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NCAA Commitment

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Zach Norvell Jr. To Test 2019 NBA Draft Waters

Apr 22, 2019 3:40 PM

Zach Norvell Jr. will test the 2019 NBA Draft waters.

Norvell averaged 14.9 points and 3.1 assists as a redshirt sophomore for Gonzaga.

Norvell could sign with an agent and stay in the draft.

ESPN

Tags: Zach Norvell, Gonzaga Bulldogs, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

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Suns May Prefer To Draft Ja Morant Over Zion Williamson

Apr 21, 2019 9:37 AM

The Phoenix Suns may prefer to draft Ja Morant over Zion Williamson, according to sources around the NBA. 

James Jones is said to "be a fan" of the Murray State point guard, especially considering the Suns' need at that position, writes Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. Vecenie is, however, skeptical that the Suns would pass on Williamson over Morant.

The Suns have a 14 percent chance of landing the first pick in the draft.

The NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 14th. 

Sam Vecenie/The Athletic

Tags: Ja Morant, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Georgian Center Goga Bitadze Declares For 2019 NBA Draft

Apr 21, 2019 12:28 AM

Georgian center Goga Bitadze has declared for the 2019 NBA draft.

Bitadze is the 19th rated prospect on ESPN's Top 100. The 7-foot Bitadze made Euroleague history by averaging 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 60% on 2-point field goals.

The 19-year-old has the highest PER for a teenager in Euroleague history, eclipsing Luka Doncic. 

He is considered a lottery-caliber prospect.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Goga Bitadze, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Croatian Forward Luka Samanic Declares For NBA Draft

Apr 20, 2019 1:40 PM

Croatian forward Luka Samanic has declared for the NBA draft.

The 19-year-old is the 39th highest-rated prospect in ESPN's Top 100. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds for Olimpija Ljubljana, and was named MVP of FIBA U18 European Championship Division B in 2017.

The 6'11" forward's size and versatility make him a borderline first-round pick, according to ESPN.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Luka Samanic, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Jarrett Culver To Leave Texas Tech For 2019 NBA Draft

Apr 18, 2019 3:34 PM

Jarrett Culver will announce he is declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft.

Culver is expected to be a top-10 pick in the June draft. Culver helped lead Texas Tech to the National Championship Game this season.

Culver has been meeting with agents this week.

Marc J. Spears/The Undefeated

Tags: Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech Red Raiders, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

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Brandon Clarke Leaves Gonzaga For 2019 NBA Draft

RealGM Staff Report

Tyler Herro Leaves Kentucky For 2019 NBA Draft

ESPN

Zion Williamson Declares For 2019 NBA Draft

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Rui Hachimura Leaves Gonzaga For 2019 NBA Draft

ESPN

Ty Jerome Leaves Virginia For 2019 NBA Draft

Myron Medcalf/ESPN

Patrick Ewing To Represent Knicks At Draft Lottery

Ian Begley & Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Full 2019 NBA Draft Tiebreakers

RealGM Staff Report

KZ Okpala Declares For 2019 NBA Draft

Jon Becker/San Jose Mercury News

Cam Reddish Declares For 2019 NBA Draft

RealGM Staff Report

Jaxson Hayes Leaves Texas For 2019 NBA Draft

ESPN

NBA, NBPA Holding Discussions On Ending One-And-Done Rule

Adrian Wojarnowski, Tim Bontemps/ESPN

RJ Barrett Leaves Duke For 2019 NBA Draft

ESPN

PJ Washington Leaves Kentucky For 2019 NBA Draft

ESPN

Tre Jones Will Stay At Duke For Sophomore Season

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Coby White Leaves North Carolina To Declare For 2019 NBA Draft

ESPN

Romeo Langford To Declare For 2019 NBA Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Ja Morant To Declare For 2019 NBA Draft

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Nassir Little Leaves North Carolina For 2019 NBA Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN