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UNC Basketball: Theo Pinson, Joel Berry declare for NBA Draft without agent

By Zack Pearson

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) looks to pass to forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) looks to pass to forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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A trio of UNC players are headed to the NBA Draft process without hiring an agent

The deadline for early entry into the 2017 NBA Draft passed on Sunday night and the only UNC news came from Tony Bradley Jr.

Until Monday morning.

The university sent out an official release stating that Bradley Jr., Theo Pinson and Joel Berry will enter the 2017 NBA Draft but will not hire an agent.

All three players can still return to UNC as long as they withdraw their names from the NBA Draft before the May 24th deadline.

Here’s what head coach Roy Williams said via press release on the decision of his three players:

"“We fully support our players taking this step of being evaluated by NBA teams to see where they stand in relation to the Draft,” says Carolina head coach Roy Williams. “All three players have options to do what is best for their careers and going through the evaluation process helps them make the best decision available to each of them.”"

Last year, Justin Jackson tested the waters and received an NBA evaluation. He decided to return and it paid off as he was named the ACC Player of the Year and helped lead UNC to a National Championship.

The junior Berry averaged 14.7 points per game for the Tar Heels this season and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Berry played most of the NCAA Tournament with two bad ankles, but was impressive during the Final Four.

Fellow junior Theo Pinson missed the first two months of the season with a foot injury but returned for conference play.

Pinson eventually found himself in the starting lineup, helping lead UNC to a ACC Regular Season title. In 21 games, Pinson averaged 6.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

The freshman Bradley has the highest stock among the three players that declared. He was dominant on the offensive glass, and averaged 5.1 rebounds per game along with 7.1 points per game.

Next: What if these players had stayed at UNC?

The next step is the 2017 NBA Scouting Combine which takes place May 9-14 in Chicago, Illinois.

Teams will be able to evaluate players who have declared for the draft. Check back for more as it becomes available.

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