DETROIT — After North Carolina won the 2005 national championship, coach Roy Williams said he knew at least three underclassmen would leave early for the NBA.
Asked Tuesday morning if he knew what would happen this time around, he responded: “Kind of, but not with the conviction that I had last time.”
After UNC throttled Michigan State on Monday night to win its second NCAA title in five season, juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington said they weren’t even thinking about their NBA decisions. It’s widely expected that the two starters — who tested the NBA waters last season, but opted to return – will leave this time around. Meanwhile, freshman Ed Davis reiterated Monday night that “I’m not ready [for the NBA].”
Williams, who slept for only about 1 1/2 hours before the team departed its hotel to return to Chapel Hill at 10:45, said he doesn’t have a timetable for when Lawson’s and Ellington’s decisions will be announced.
“I have no idea,’’ said Williams, one of only 13 coaches to win multiple titles. “We haven’t talked about it one second. The thing I’m most proud of is those kids, when they decided to come back, I told them, ‘it’s got to be my way. It’s not going to be about you, it’s not going to be about getting you 30 shots. If that’s what you think you’re going to try to do, to show the NBA, it’s not going to work.’
“ … The fact of the matter is, not one day did those guys show or imply or make me think they were thinking about anything but this team. And that’s just such a credit to the character of those kids. Because it was always about North Carolina basketball.”
Winning a national title though, will likely help their potential draft stock.
“Ty improved his status … greatly,’’ Williams said. “Danny [Green, a senior] and Wayne probably did so as well. Tyler Hansbrough probably just solidified that everyone’s going to say, ‘Yeah, he’s going ot be a solid pro for a long time.”
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Satisfaction
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 11:39 — SurferHaving said before that I would be happy just to have TH break the ACC scoring record, what a great feeling to do that and even more! 2009 National Champions, oh how sweet it is. Thanks for the hard work boys, it is now time to reload.
I couldn't blame anyone if they decided to leave....
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:00 — UNC1998That said, Lawson and Ellington have done about all they need to do in college. It's up to whose left and whose coming.
The only thing Lawson and Ellington have to think about
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 14:22 — festerThe only meeting Roy needs to have with Lawson and Ellington is, what agents to hire and how to come back and finish senior classes during summers. Congrats boys, thank you and enjoy the money.
2010
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 13:00 — eskinn44_40Regardless of who returns for the 'Heels, those that do wear Carolina Blue next season hopefully learned a valuable lesson this year: That defense does, in fact, win championships.
Without Hansbrough & Green - and whoever else defects - that addage will as applicable as ever to the UNC basketball program. There's no question UNC will have the athletes to be another very good defensive team - with or without Lawson or Ellington.
Now . . . the basketball team is taken care of. The next step: Butch Davis and the football 'Heels in the BCS Championship game.