A Bright Future Ahead for UNC Basketball in the NBA

The 2024 NBA draft has come and gone, and while only one Tar Heel heard their name called, the future looks promising for North Carolina basketball players in the league. Harrison Ingram, the six-foot-seven forward from Dallas, TX, was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 48th overall pick on Thursday Night. However, it’s the 2025 NBA draft that has everyone excited, with two UNC players projected to go in the first round.

The Tar Heels are looking to make a bigger impact in the NBA next year.

According to the latest mock draft by CBS Sports, Ian Jackson and Elliot Cadeau are expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 draft. Cadeau, the sophomore point guard from West Orange, NJ, is predicted to land in Utah with the 17th overall pick in the first round. This is no surprise, given his impressive freshman season, where he averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 assists per game. However, if he wants to stay this high on draft boards, the pass-first guard will need to slightly improve his scoring numbers in the 2024 season.

“Ian Jackson is going to be a stud” - TarHeelTyler (@TarHeelMBB)

The other Tar Heel predicted to be taken in the 2025 draft is freshman Ian Jackson. The McDonald’s All-American has yet to play a single game in North Carolina Blue, but his stellar high school career has CBS analysts predicting a late first-round selection, with the 28th overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jackson is already impressing the Tar Heel faithful just weeks after his arrival in Chapel Hill, with this clip from one of UNC Basketball’s offseason scrimmages making its rounds across social media.

Ian Jackson is already making waves in Chapel Hill.

One notable Tar Heel left off this first-round mock is superstar RJ Davis, who decided to return to Chapel Hill for his 5th season. The ACC player of the year and first team all-american isn’t receiving much attention from scouts, but his decision to return for another season gives the 22-year-old a chance at improvement on what’s already been a remarkable college career.

Looking ahead to 2025, the forecast is promising. With Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson projected as first-round picks and a superstar in Davis who could very well sneak his way into the draft boards come 2025, the current Tar Heels seem to have a bright future ahead in the NBA.

The Tar Heels are looking to make a bigger impact in the NBA next year.

The 2025 NBA draft is still a long way off, but one thing is for sure - UNC basketball fans have a lot to be excited about. With talented players like Cadeau, Jackson, and Davis leading the charge, the Tar Heels are poised to make a big splash in the league.

NBA draft excitement is building.