By R.L. Bynum
The NBA season opens this week with 11 former UNC players on opening night rosters. Among them are four starters, two backups, two players on new teams, and two rookies. Three others who were waived are expected to play in the G League.
Notably, eight of the 11 played only one season at UNC. The only player who played more than two seasons at Carolina is Portland rookie Caleb Love, who finished his college career at Arizona.
Coby White, recovering from a strained calf that sidelined him for the entire preseason, will miss at least the first two weeks of the season. Entering a pivotal contract year, he’s now the longest-tenured Chicago Bull and could be poised for a breakout season. (Read more about White here.)
Three other former UNC players have earned starting roles:
- San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes enters his 14th NBA season at age 33. He’s played 304 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak, and hasn’t come off the bench since the 2015–16 season with Golden State.
- Cameron Johnson begins his first season with the Denver Nuggets after a major trade that sent Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to Brooklyn. He joins a Nuggets team that should contend in the West. (Read more about Johnson here.)
- Walker Kessler, in his fourth season, returns as the starting center for the Utah Jazz. (Editor’s note: There is pushback from some readers when he is mentioned in updates on former UNC players. He did, in fact, play at UNC even if some fans don’t consider him a Tar Heel, so he always will be included.)
Cole Anthony starts a new chapter in Milwaukee after five seasons with Orlando. He’ll serve as a backup point guard behind Kevin Porter. He scored 21 points and five 3-pointers in an Oct. 14 preseason game against the Thunder.
Day’Ron Sharpe continues in a backup role with the Brooklyn Nets, playing behind Nic Claxton. He’ll again have a Tar Heel teammate — this time rookie Drake Powell instead of Johnson.
Powell, recovering from a left knee tendinopathy injury suffered in the pre-draft process, missed the Summer League and was limited to three preseason games, averaging 10.6 minutes. He’ll compete for rotational minutes behind Porter and Ziaire Williams.
Love joins the Portland Trail Blazers as a backup point guard behind Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe. He flashed potential in the preseason, scoring 17 points and hitting three 3-pointers against Golden State on Oct. 14.
Tony Bradley, the lone NBA player remaining from UNC’s 2017 national championship team, returns to the Indiana Pacers after being a reserve on last season’s Eastern Conference championship team. He’s listed as a fourth-string center, which likely means time in the G League.
Pete Nance is with Milwaukee, entering his third pro season, and is also expected to spend significant time in the G League.
Harrison Ingram made the Spurs’ opening-night roster as one of three two-way players (along with David Jones Garcia and Riley Minix). After appearing in just five NBA games last season and 48 in the G League, Ingram is likely to split time again.
Three waived Tar Heels are expected to play for their teams’ G League affiliates:
- Leaky Black with the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards)
- RJ Davis with the South Bay Lakers
- Cormac Ryan with the Wisconsin Herd (Bucks)
Two former Tar Heels who played in the G League last season are now overseas:
- Nassir Little, formerly with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Heat), now plays for the Chiba Jets in Japan’s B.League.
- Armando Bacot, who played for the Memphis Hustle, joins Fenerbahçe Beko in Turkey’s Basketbol Süper Ligi.
Three former Tar Heels are assistant coaches:
- Wayne Ellington with the Miami Heat as assistant coach for player development,
- Jerry Stackhouse with the Golden State Warriors and
- Jawad Williams with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 29 games, 6.4 points, 42.9 FG%, 29.1 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Team record: 18–24, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Timberwolves 139, Bucks 106 — 9:11, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Thursday: (at) Spurs 119, Bucks 101 — 13:55, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 turnovers, +7
Monday: Bucks 112, (at) Hawks 110 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 43 games, 11.0 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 30–13, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Thunder 119, Spurs 98 — Started; 23:40, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, -1
Thursday: Spurs 119, Bucks 101 — Started; 16:18, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +25
Saturday: Spurs 126, Timberwolves 123 — Started; 28:56, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 8 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +2
Monday: Spurs 123, Jazz 110 — Started; 22:24, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 foul, +17
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Houston, NBC, Peacock
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 36 games, 4.1 points, 57.4 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.9 rebounds
Team record: 8–34, 15th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Raptors 115, Pacers 101 — 19:36, 2 points, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, +3
Friday: Pacers 127, Pelicans 119 — 18:45, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 foul, -5
Saturday: (at) Pistons 121, Pacers 78 — 17:42, 12 points, 5–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -11
Monday: (at) Sixers 113, Pacers 104 — 18:00, 8 points, 4–5 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at Boston
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 28–13, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 36 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.9 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 22–22, 9th in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Warriors 119, Blazers 97 — Started (Avdija was out with lower back soreness; Love’s 1st career start); 33:55, 17 points, 5–16 FG, 2–9 3FG, 5–8 FT, 3 rebounds, career-high 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, -14
Thursday: Blazers 117, Hawks 101 — Didn’t start; 25:39, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 2–6 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, +6
Saturday: Blazers 132, Lakers 116 — Didn’t start; 31:22, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnover, +23
Monday: Blazers 117, (at) Kings 110 — Didn’t start; 21:41, 6 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Miami
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 30 games, 6.4 points, 46.0 FG%, 32.4 3FG%, 88.2 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–29, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Pelicans 116, Nets 113 — Started; 24:12, 16 points, 6–10 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, +5, season-high 13.9 game score
Friday: Nets 112, Bulls 109 — Started; 24:26, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +1
Sunday: (at) Bulls 124, Nets 102 — Didn’t play (knee injury)
Monday: Suns 126, Nets 117 — Started; 24:47, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at New York
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 39 games, 7.9 points, 61.2 FG%, 21.4 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 12–29, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Pelicans 116, Nets 113 — Started; 19:09, 15 points, 7–9 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 foul, -5
Friday: Nets 112, Bulls 109 — Started; 18:58, 14 points, 6–8 FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, -4
Sunday: (at) Bulls 124, Nets 102 — Didn’t start; 19:24, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -18
Monday: Suns 126, Nets 117 — Didn’t play (throat contusion)
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at New York
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 21 games, 18.1 points, 45.3 FG%, 33.8 3PFG, 78.3 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists
Team record: 20–22, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 119, Bulls 113 — Didn’t play; injury management for right calf injury
Wednesday: Bulls 128, Jazz 126 — Started; 6 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, 5 turnover, 3 fouls, -11
Friday: (at) Nets 112, Bulls 109 — Started; 33:04, 17 points, 7–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, -5
Sunday: Bulls 124, Nets 102 — Started; 24 points, 8–14 FG, 7–11 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +16
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 24 games, 10.8 points, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals
Wednesday: Long Island Nets 104, Capital City 101 — Started; 41 minutes, 20 points, 7–10 FG, 6–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 1 block, +2
Thursday: Raptors 905 115, Capital City 104 — Started; 35 minutes, 17 points, 7–12 FG, 3–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, +/- of 0
Saturday: Capital City 101, Raptors 905 95 — Started; 40 minutes, 2 points, 1–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 4 steals, +13
Monday: Capital City 113, (at) Texas Legends 102 — Started; 15 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 blocks, +13
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Austin Spurs, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 21 games, 5.4 points, 44.9 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.3 of a block
Tuesday: Raptors 905 99, Birmingham 98 — 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Thursday: Motor City Cruise 109, Birmingham 94 — 20 minutes, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Saturday: Motor City Cruise 127, Birmingham 103 — inactive for game
Monday: Greensboro Swarm 116, Birmingham 114 — Didn’t start; 12 points, 2–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, =18
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 18 games, 17.7 points, 43.2 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 88.2 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Wednesday: South Bay 120, San Diego Clippers 115 — Started; 36 minutes, 28 points, 8–15 FG, 6–8 3FG, 4–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +12
Saturday: South Bay 120, San Diego Clippers 115 — Started; 35 minutes, 27 points, 9–20 FG, 4–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 7 turnovers, +/- of 09
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 15 games, 15.9 points, 51.7 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 118, (at) Salt Lake City Stars 113 — Started; 33 minutes, 14 points, 6–13 FG, 2–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +8
Thursday: Austin 121, (at) Salt Lake City Stars 118 — Started; 33 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Oklahoma City, ESPN+
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 12 games, 2.5 points, 57.1 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 of an assist
Tuesday in NBA with Bucks: Timberwolves 139, Bucks 106 — 9:11, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +1
Thursday in NBA with Bucks: (at) Spurs 119, Bucks 101 — 13:55, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 block, +6
Monday in NBA: Bucks 112, (at) Hawks 110 — 15:04, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 foul, +13
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 18 games, 19.3 points, 47.8 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 91.3 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Wednesday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 40 minutes, 25 points, 10–22 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, -1
Friday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 35 minutes, 14 points, 3–12 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +4
Saturday: Westchester Knicks 104, Wisconsin 94 — Started; 22 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -18
Monday: Wisconsin 114, Westchester Knicks 103— Started; 25 minutes, 25 points, 7–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +22
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Photo via @BrooklynNets
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