With more than two weeks under their belts since winning the NCAA basketball title, UNC guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington announced Thursday they would hire agents and enter the NBA Draft.
Both are projected to be drafted in the first round, but Ellington could slip into the early second round at worst.
Lawson averaged nearly 17 points per game in his junior season and won ACC Player of the Year.
“It’s hard to leave Carolina because of all the great memories,” Lawson said in a press conference.
Ellington scored almost 16 points per game but struggled early this season finding his shooting rhythm. He ended up earning the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player award and made all three of his 3-pointers against Michigan State in the title game.
“It was definitely a tough decision,” Ellington said. “I had a lot of fun and there’s no better way to end it then the way we did.”
Ellington and Lawson elected to return last season after not being satisfied with their draft status.
“This is a good time for the youngsters to do it,” coach Roy Williams said.
Now all eyes in the Triangle are on Gerald Henderson, the Duke junior guard and high school teammate of Ellington. Henderson has yet to announce his intentions for next season.
