Ellington, Lawson Heading for the NBA

23 Apr 2009

The Tar Heel guard duo announced today at 2:30 that they will be heading for the NBA following their win in the National Championship game. Lawson averaged 16.6 points per game and also led the ACC in assists at 6.6 per game. Ellington averaged 15.8 points per game and hit 85 three pointers this season for the Heels. He had 19 points in the championship game versus Michigan State and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four. While Ellington’s draft status remains uncertain, Lawson is considered by many to be one of the best guards in the 2009 draft. 

And while most Tar Heel fans see this as a blow to the program, I see it more along the lines as a great opportunity. The #1 recruit in the nation, John Wall, has been holding out in announcing his decision for college basketball for weeks now. It is reported that his eyes are on Memphis, Kansas, Kentucky, NC State, Duke, and Baylor. However, he has made clear his intentions to announce on Monday, fully knowing the deadline to declare for the NBA was the Sunday prior.

With 2 new scholarships opening up in the UNC lineup, I fully expect Roy Williams will send an offer to the Raleigh native. If Roy can avoid his AAU handlers and Wall can meet the admission requirements, I believe it is a great possibility we could see him in a UNC jersey next season. After all, UNC was the dark horse during the Brandan Wright recruiting fiasco as well. It is known that Wall is has been a UNC fan, he has toured the school, yet without a scholarship to offer, he could never publicly declare UNC an option.

Brian Clifton, Wall’s AAU “handler/pimp” has expressed his dislike for Roy Williams, but if Wall happens to gain his own mind, then who knows where Wall will head. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. As for Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, these guys were class act players.

 

News and Observer : Duo Heads to NBA