Heel Tough Blog: Henri Veesaar Drafted in Second Round

@UNC_Basketball

After not hearing his name in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, Henri Veesaar’s wait came to an end last night, after being drafted 52nd in the NBA Draft, by the Los Angeles Clippers, with the pick to be sent to the Atlanta Hawks. Entering the Draft, Veesaar was projected by many to be late first round selection, and after not going on Tuesday night, there was belief he’d be off the early in the second round, but that was not the case, as he was the 22nd pick in the second round. 

Veesaar left North Carolina after just one season in Chapel Hill, that saw him average career-highs in both points (17.0), and rebounds (8.7), on his way to earning Second Team All-ACC honors. 

Had Veesaar opted to return to North Carolina, he would’ve been the face of Michael Malone’s first team, and his presence would’ve solidified a frontcourt that is the clear weakness entering the 2026-27 season, even with the overseas additions of Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov. 

There was some speculation that his fall in the NBA Draft had to do with his refusal to sign a two-way contract, where he’d spend time in both the NBA and the G-League. While Veesaar was seeking an outright NBA contract, it’s important to remember that he turned down a significant NIL offer from North Carolina, with reports claiming that UNC offered the Estonia native as much as $6 million to return to Chapel Hill for his senior season.