Henri Veesaar: Spurs’ Secret Western Finals Weapon
Former Tar Heels big man Henri Veesaar declared for the NBA Draft after a breakout season at UNC in which he averaged 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds. Opting not to return for another year under new coach Michael Malone, Veesaar projects as a mid-to-late first-round pick. Mock drafts, including Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, peg him as a perfect fit alongside Victor Wembanyama or Luke Kornet in San Antonio’s rotation, praising his perimeter shooting, baseline skills, help defense, and rim protection.
Finally, a lanky Estonian whose vertical leap looks like a misunderstanding of gravity. Spurs fans can’t wait to add a 227-pound twig to their roster, convinced that one day he’ll morph into a Greek god at the rim—after he graduates from “ball handling for beginners.” It’s comforting to think that a glass-thin power forward can stand up to NBA brutes once he stretches his wingspan with enough cold cuts and protein shakes. Veesaar’s trajectory: from college breakout star to America’s tropical plant of choice, all without smashing a single parking meter dunk.
Matt Able: UNC’s Second-Round Stealth Bomber
NC State transfer Matt Able averaged 8.8 points per game as a freshman, knocking down over 35% of his threes before committing to North Carolina. Despite a strong showing at the 2026 NBA Draft combine—16 points per scrimmage and 7-of-16 from deep—most mocks slot him in the second round. Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor forecasts he’ll go 42nd overall to the Spurs, though Able can pull his name if first-round buzz never materializes and return to Chapel Hill.
Meet Matt Able: the player so “able” at basketball that he’s still waiting for someone to notice. He lit up 5-on-5 drills, but apparently not enough to make anyone break into a sweat over his name. San Antonio is rumored to use him as a human Swiss Army knife—versatile, compact, and prone to disappearing in a Stanley Cup finals game. UNC supporters can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that if he isn’t lasered into Round 1, he’ll swing back to campus in time to chase another national title—because nothing says “commitment” like a mid-season existential draft crisis.
Michael Malone’s Magic: Turning Chapel Hill Into NBA U
UNC stunned the basketball world by hiring Denver’s Michael Malone as head coach this offseason. Former Nugget RJ Hampton praised Malone’s high-energy, player-first approach, recalling his rookie-year trust-building and no-nonsense accountability. Malone plans to import NBA principles—discipline, trust earned on the floor, and innovative offense—to Chapel Hill, positioning the Tar Heels as surprise contenders in the 2026–27 season.
Yes, that’s right: UNC finally hired a coach who won’t ask if you’ve finished your homework before dunking. Michael Malone will tell you exactly how to run pick-and-rolls, only to bench you for missing morning shootarounds. College basketball players across America are frantically Googling “NBA contract” while clutching their PlayStation controllers. Who wouldn’t want a coach who treats 18-year-olds like free agents—minus the big checks and endorsement deals? Expect Chapel Hill to be part NBA G-League, part motivational seminar, and 100% Late Night Instagram clips.
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