If it feels like this storyline has been discussed before, that is because it has. Once again, attention is firmly fixed on Henri Veesaar and what his future holds at North Carolina.
Veesaar arrived from Arizona and quickly established himself as an All-ACC caliber player for the Tar Heels under Hubert Davis last season. Since then, Davis has been relieved of his duties, with Michael Malone stepping in as the new head coach. The current UNC leadership is hopeful that Veesaar will choose to return to Chapel Hill for another year.
However, the prevailing belief is that Veesaar will explore the NBA Draft process to gauge his projection. If he is viewed as a potential second-round pick, there is a strong chance he could withdraw and return to play in the ACC. That said, a recent NBA mock draft by Kevin O’Connor projects a different outcome, with Veesaar landing at No. 29 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers and slipping into the first round.
Henri Veesaar potentially leaving UNC would be a big blow for Michael Malone
“Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs,” O’Connor wrote. “He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. He might not even enter the draft, as he remains undecided. But if he does, it’d make perfect sense for the Cavaliers to scoop him up since he could operate as a big man next to either Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley.”
If Veesaar ultimately secures a firm first-round grade, UNC fans would likely support him in moving on to the next stage of his career. But if he is projected as a second-round selection, many believe the opportunity to return and dominate at the college level should remain wide open.
Previous mock drafts have often placed Veesaar in the second round, but O’Connor’s latest projection has shifted the conversation and added uncertainty. If anything, it has increased concern among Carolina supporters that he may not be back in a Tar Heels uniform next season. At this stage, his decision remains unclear, but it is expected soon.
It is also important to note that even if Veesaar enters the draft, he still has until late May to go through the evaluation process and withdraw if he chooses. At the moment, his situation feels like a close call, and UNC fans are watching closely. If he does return, the Tar Heels would likely enter next season as a top 20 team. For now, though, that remains a significant question mark.