I never was clear why Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington waited until now to make their decision to enter the NBA Draft. The choice was never really in doubt. The junior guards both are likely to go in the first round of the NBA Draft. Both nearly went pro as sophomores last season so the chances that they would stick around after winning the NCAA championship seemed slim at best.
Lawson is expected to be a lottery pick while Ellington will be a late first-round choice.The departure of both thins the UNC backcourt. Right now it would be sophomore Larry Drew running the point while incoming shooting guard Dexter Strickland would slide into Ellington's spot.
Of course, the departure of Lawson may also mean North Carolina could make a full run at uber-point guard recruit John Wall. Coach Roy Williams has been keeping in touch with him since the NCAA tornament ended. Despite some in Wall's entourage rumored to be against Williams, it is hard to say Roy Williams and UNC would have no shot.
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Davidson's Stephen Curry, right, talks with his father and former NBA player Dell, left, and coach Bob McKillop, center, after a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Davidson's Stephen Curry smiles during a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Oklahoma City high school star Xavier Henry, right, announces that he has committed to play basketball for Kansas, during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Henry is considered the third-rated prospect in the country by both Rivals.com and ESPNU. Looking on at left is his mother, Barbara Henry. (AP Photo)
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Oklahoma City high school star Xavier Henry announces that he has committed to play basketball for Kansas during a news conference at Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Henry is considered the third-rated prospect in the country by both Rivals.com and ESPNU. (AP Photo)
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Davidson's Stephen Curry pauses during a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Davidson's Stephen Curry, left, is congratulated by Davidson College president Tom Ross, right, after a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Oklahoma City high school star Xavier Henry laughs during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Henry, who announced that he has committed to play basketball for Kansas, is considered the third-rated prospect in the country by both Rivals.com and ESPNU. (AP Photo)
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Davidson's Stephen Curry, right, and his coach Bob McKillop, left, take questions during a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Davidson's Stephen Curry, right, talks with his father Dell, left, and coach Bob McKillop, center, after a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Davidson's Stephen Curry, left, chats with his mother Sonya, center, as his father Dell, right, looks on after a news conference at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. Curry announced he would enter the NBA draft. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-23-2009 @ 5:55PM
eveyahhh said...
You are all missing the point. The problem with the whole system are the blood sucking leeches that call themselves "mentors." Give me a break, they don't care about the kid, the care about the money that the kid can make for them. At least there is a coach that has more integrity and respect for the game then to bow down to a "handler" to land a quality recruit.
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