By R.L. Bynum
The NBA season opens Tuesday with 14 former Carolina players on rosters. Five are projected starters and six are on two-way contracts, as Caleb Wilson prepares for his much-anticipated debut Wednesday night in Toronto.
Wilson made an impressive transition during the preseason. The 6–10 forward averaged 15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in five games for Chicago.
Wilson has made no secret of his ambitions, including winning Rookie of the Year honors and eventually becoming an All-Star. But he also understands that NBA success won’t come immediately.
“I feel like I’m prepared for it,” Wilson told the Chicago Sun-Times after practice Monday. “[I] feel like you’ve got to give yourself grace. I don’t know what the timetable is for me being an All-Star and all that stuff, but I know that every day I’m going to come out and be better than I was the day before.”
While Wilson’s opener isn’t on national television, most fans can watch the game, as well as all other opening-week games, thanks to the free preview of NBA League Pass that many TV providers offer through Monday.
Bulls coach Tiago Splitter appreciates Wilson’s confidence but wants him to understand that individual accomplishments must come within the team’s development.
“He’s being honest. He wants to be a great player, he wants to win Rookie of the Year, a lot of the things, but he also works for it,” Splitter told the Sun-Times earlier this month.
Splitter has also been encouraged by Wilson’s willingness to study video and accept coaching, although the rookie’s defense and decision-making remain works in progress.
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“I think he went through different stages, ups and downs,” Splitter told NBA.com’s Sam Smith. “We are, and he’s still trying to figure out how to be more effective, which is normal. He’s a 20-year-old kid playing in the NBA. So, it’s going to be a process; we understand that. But overall, he’s listening; he’s trying to learn. He’s asking for more film, like I say, eager to learn.”
Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in 24 games at Carolina before a fractured left hand and subsequent right thumb injury ended his only college season.
Splitter said Wilson’s potential extends well beyond what he showed at Carolina, where much of his offense came around the basket.
“Every day we get to know him a little bit better,” Splitter said during an appearance on the “Numbers on the Board” podcast. “When you watch him play in college, he was playing back to the basket. Now, he comes here in the Summer League, and we see different things. Throughout practices, [we] see different things. September came, and he’s just getting better and better. It’s hard to see where he’s going to end up, what’s his ceiling.”
While Wilson prepares for his first NBA game, another former Carolina star who spent 6½ seasons in Chicago faces a more frustrating start to the season.
Coby White, about to begin his first full season with Charlotte, missed the entire preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp. Hornets coach Charles Lee said Monday that White is making progress. On Tuesday, White was ruled out for Wednesday’s opener at Brooklyn.
“There’s still no timeline on those guys,” Lee said of White and former Duke guard Kon Knueppel, who has a hamstring injury. “They’re making really good progress. Day by day, they’ve stepped up what they’ve been able to do on the court, adding some level of contact to their workouts as well.”
White, who has dealt with calf problems previously, averaged 17.4 points and four assists in 50 games with Chicago and Charlotte last season. The Hornets expect him to take over the starting point guard position after trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
Two other Tar Heels will be on the opposite side Wednesday: Brooklyn guard Drake Powell and center Day’Ron Sharpe.
Powell, entering his second season, averaged 6.5 points in 63 games as a rookie and shot 45.5% from 3-point range in four preseason games.
Sharpe, who will start after coming off the bench in his first five seasons, hopes he can avoid past foul trouble.
“I’ve started some games over these past seasons, but as the refs get to learn me more, hopefully the whistle goes the other way,” Sharpe said Sunday.
Sharpe, who is making $10 million this season, is among the former Tar Heels with established NBA roles. In addition to Wilson, White and Sharpe, other projected starters are Denver forward Cameron Johnson and Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler.
Johnson, who averaged 12.2 points and shot 43% from 3-point range last season, is hoping for a smoother start to his second season with the Nuggets. He acknowledged that adjusting to playing alongside Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray was more difficult than he expected.
“If I could delete the first couple of weeks of last season, I think I would,” Johnson told the Denver Gazette earlier this month.
Nuggets coach David Adelman said Johnson has benefited from a full season in Denver’s system.
“He just looks comfortable. He knows the guys better,” Adelman said.
Johnson’s preseason numbers reflected that improvement. He averaged 10 points in five games while shooting 55.9% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range. Denver opens Thursday at Oklahoma City.
Kessler, whose final season with Utah was limited to five games, enters his fifth NBA season with a new team and a $30.11 million salary. He averaged 8.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in two preseason appearances for the Lakers.
Harrison Barnes, the league’s longest-tenured former Carolina player, begins his 15th NBA season Tuesday, scoring three points in nine minutes off the bench in San Antonio’s 116–104 home loss to Oklahoma City. The 34-year-old forward averaged 8.4 points in five preseason games and is projected to come off the bench after averaging 9.9 points in 77 games last season.
Barnes, who will earn $8 million this season, has accepted a reduced role with the Spurs, valuing the team’s continuity and the opportunity to compete for another championship after San Antonio reached the NBA Finals last season.
Six former Tar Heels will begin the season on two-way contracts, with Sacramento guard Leaky Black, Utah forward Harrison Ingram, Philadelphia guard Caleb Love, Milwaukee forward Pete Nance, New York guard Tyler Nickel and Milwaukee guard Cormac Ryan trying to earn more substantial NBA roles.
Each NBA team can carry three two-way players in addition to its 15 standard-contract players. Two-way contracts generally go to players with fewer than four years of NBA service. Players on those deals are limited to 50 regular-season NBA games. The G League’s Tip-Off Tournament begins Nov. 6.
Ryan will earn $680,984 this season, while the other five former Tar Heels on two-way contracts will make $678,882 apiece.
Love and Nickel were on opposite sides Tuesday’s 106–100 New York win over Philadelphia, but Love didn’t play and Nickel wasn’t active for the game.
Love begins his second NBA season after averaging 10.4 points in 49 games last season. After playing playing to the 50-game limit for two-way players last season in Portland, he finished the season in the G League. He averaged 24.7 points in 10 G League games, but struggled with his shooting during the preseason, making 25.9% of his attempts.
Love has been learning from Philadelphia star Tyrese Maxey, whom he has known since high school, and understands that his ability to fit into the 76ers’ system will determine his opportunities.
“I think just being myself, but staying within the team, concepts and things like that,” Love said when asked what he needs to do to earn playing time.
Nickel, who finished his college career at Vanderbilt after beginning it at Carolina, averaged 13.5 points and shot 40% from 3-point range last season for the Commodores. He played sparingly during the NBA preseason, making two of 14 attempts from behind the arc.
Another player with a new opportunity is journeyman Tony Bradley, who returned to Utah after being waived by New York on Thursday. The Jazz claimed the veteran center Sunday, bringing him back to the franchise where he spent his first three NBA seasons.
Bradley, the only remaining member of the 2017 UNC national champion team still in the league, averaged four points and 2.8 rebounds in 41 games with Indiana and Atlanta last season and gives Utah additional frontcourt depth. He’ll miss Utah’s opener Wednesday at Memphis, though, with a left quadriceps strain.
Bradley joins Ingram in Utah. Ingram earned a two-way contract after a productive G League season with the Spurs’ Austin team, where he averaged 16.6 points, 12 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The former Carolina forward played only seven NBA games with San Antonio last season, but his rebounding and passing give him a chance to earn additional opportunities with the Jazz.
Black also secured a new two-way opportunity after Sacramento converted his contract last week. Black averaged 7.7 points and shot 62.5% from 3-point range in three preseason games for the Kings. He previously played in the NBA with Charlotte and Washington, and Sacramento offers another chance to establish himself as a defensive specialist.
Milwaukee has two former Tar Heels on two-way contracts in Nance and Ryan. Nance’s situation changed twice in three days after the Bucks waived him Saturday and re-signed him Monday, avoiding the about $2.5 million salary he otherwise would have earned.
Nance averaged 5.4 points in 47 NBA games last season and shot 42% from 3-point range. His experience and ability to stretch the floor could give him a larger NBA role than many two-way players.
Ryan, meanwhile, averaged 20.9 points and shot 42.2% from 3-point range in 31 G League games last season. He also averaged 14.3 points in 11 NBA appearances, shooting 45.8% from behind the arc.
Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins has been particularly impressed with Ryan’s defensive effort and competitiveness.
“Cormac, just his relentless competitiveness. I love that about him,” Jenkins said. “Everything that we’re preaching, teaching, defensive side, pressure full-court, competing on the ball, staying in plays, giving multiple efforts, he’s doing it. I love that about him.”
Jenkins said Ryan could contribute to the NBA rotation despite his two-way status.
“For a guy in his position, competing for even more for himself individually, I think he can have a role for us this season,” Jenkins said.
Ryan reportedly added 15 pounds during the offseason to better handle the NBA’s physical demands, another sign of his determination to turn his two-way opportunity into a more permanent role.
San Antonio waived guard RJ Davis after he played three preseason games, averaging 2.3 points in 8.8 minutes, and he still hasn’t signed with another team.
Atlanta rookie center Henri Veesaar, who tore his right ACL on Sept. 15, is expected to have surgery this month and miss the season.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.6 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot, to earn Kings’ final two-way contract
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics (New York) — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Memphis; Bradley will miss the game with a left quadriceps strain
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string forward fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1-1 3P
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Memphis
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday at Oklahoma City, ESPN
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season— 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
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FG%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 38.8 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.1 rebounds
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Charlotte
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Missed preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp and has been ruled out for Wednesday’s opener at Brooklyn.
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.68 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)
Photo via @chicagobulls
