Heel Tough Blog: Henri Veesaar Declares For the NBA Draft

Yahoo Sports

On the day when college basketball players have to declare for the NBA Draft, Henri Veesaar has decided to enter the 2026 NBA Draft, with the intention to stay in the draft, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. Veesaar joined UNC after starting his career at Arizona, and enjoyed a special season in Chapel Hill, where he averaged 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 61% from the field and 43% from behind the arc. 

This decision comes as a minor surprise, as Veesaar isn’t a lock to be a first-round selection in the NBA Draft, and had he returned to college, UNC, in theory, could’ve paid him more than what a contract in the second round goes for currently. 

The exit of Veesaar leaves a massive hole in the frontcourt for Carolina, who lost freshman sensation Caleb Wilson to the NBA Draft earlier this offseason as well. Many of the top bigs have already found new homes in the transfer portal, leaving Michael Malone and his staff scrambling to find an adequate replacement for Veesaar. 

The Four Corners Podcast: