Last June, the Indiana Pacers chose North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough over North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson with the No. 13 overall draft pick.
If rumors are true, the former teammates who led UNC to the 2009 national title, could be reunited in the near future.
CHAPEL HILL — When Wayne Ellington took his recruiting trip to North Carolina, one of the first things he did was look up to the rafters and dream about having his No. 22 hanging amongst the honored jerseys. “When you’re a kid, you dream about stuff like that,’’ said the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rookie.
Saturday, that officially happened.
Before the Tar Heels beat N.C. State 74-61, Ellington – the Most Outstanding Player of last year’s Final Four – and point guard Ty Lawson - last year’s ACC Player of the Year while wearing No. 5 – had their jerseys honored.
It's going to be busy during North Carolina's final home games of the
season, even when the current players aren't competing on the court.
Former Tar Heel guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, starters on last
year’s national championship team, will have their jerseys honored
prior to the Feb. 13 game against N.C. State, a team spokesman said.
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina four-time All-America Tyler Hansbrough was already scheduled to have his jersey retired, and former teammate Ty Lawson, a first-team All-America, was already scheduled to have his jersey honored.
But two additional jerseys -- those of Wayne Ellington and Donald Williams -- will soon be hung in the Smith Center rafters, as well.
From Sunday's College Basketball column:
Ever since North Carolina won its fifth NCAA title in April, there's been a good-natured debate brewing about which championship team is better: 2005 or 2009?
On Sept. 4, those bragging rights will be on the line.
UNC guard Wayne Ellington's reaction after to falling to No. 28 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Thursday night's draft: "They'll be sorry,'' he told the Philadelphia Daily News, referring to the first 27 teams that didn't draft him.
UNC Juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellignton declare their intentions to make themselves eligible for the NBA draft. (Staff video by Travis Long)
Staff video by Travis Long
With a national championship in hand, UNC juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington are headed to the NBA.
The backcourt pair declared for the draft on Thursday at a farewell press conference at the Smith Center.
The pending question for Duke’s Gerald Henderson and North Carolina’s Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington isn’t so much “if.” It’s “when” will the three juniors will declare for the NBA Draft.
They have until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to declare. If they do, only Henderson would be able to play another season of college ball. The two Tar Heels used their free pro inspection shot last spring. Underclassmen don’t get a second chance.
Henderson could declare and return for ‘09-’10 under the stipulation that he doesn’t hire an agent and removes his name from consideration by 5 p.m. June 15.
What would change if they all leave?
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Roy Williams plans to gather information from at least 10 different NBA general managers before juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington make their final decisions about whether to turn pro.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare is April 26; the NBA only allows players to withdraw their name from the draft once. Since both did that last year, their decisions this time around will be final.
“I think they are relying on the information, not necessarily my advice, because they’re going to do what they want to do, and that’s what I want them to do, but I want it to be an informed decision,’’ Williams said Thursday, after the team’s awards ceremony.
