Two Tarheels Going Pro

((HT: WRAL-TV/Tim Hall))

Juniors Ty Lawson ((pictured, thanks WRAL)) and Wayne Ellington announced they will head to the NBA Thursday, tearing apart a backcourt combination that started for three years for North Carolina and lifted the Tar Heels to the 2009 national title.

Lawson emerged as the ACC player of the year and Ellington had a torrid NCAA run that led to him being named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four.

Lawson, a 5-foot-11 point guard, is widely expected to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft in June Ellington is likely a first-round pick but his exact status is harder to project.

Carolina still looks formidable next year, with Deon Thompson and Ed Davis returning inside and Marcus Ginyard back from injury for his senior year. Larry Drew, a freshman last season, would compete for the starting point guard position with contenders from a strong freshman class.

UNC coach Roy Williams said he talked to 13 different NBA teams for feedback.

“The indication from those people was this was a good time for these youngsters to do it,” Williams said.

Both Ellington and Lawson said winning the NCAA title was a factor in their decisions.

“Winning the championship had a lot to do with it,” Ellington said. “There was no better way to go out. It was something what was very hard to achieve and we worked for it.
“That had a big part,” Lawson said. “We won the national championship. I guess our draft stock did move up. So that played a big part in deciding to leave.”

Williams had an interesting answer when asked if the procession of players to the NBA, and the way players evaluate their stock, had changed how he recruits. He said it has been different for several years now but that he looks for a mix of players when recruiting.

“I want to recruit the best players that I’m going to enjoy coaching,” Williams said. “… It is more difficult, there’s no question about it. But what these two youngsters did is they made great decision along the way. I’m happy for them. They are realizing a dream.

“When we’re recruiting I want a good mix. I want guys who can shoot and guys who can defend and I want some giys who will be so good they will have thise question mark every year and some who will be with us the whole time.”

Here's the presser from our friends at WRAL-TV...