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UNC Basketball: Tony Bradley wants first-round guarantee to remain in NBA Draft

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) laughs with North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) laughs with North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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North Carolina freshman center Tony Bradley unlikely to leave college without first-round guarantee

University of North Carolina center Tony Bradley didn’t have eye-popping numbers in his freshman season with the Tar Heels, but he might have done just enough to get selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft.

And if he doesn’t, it’s unlikely that he’ll remain in the draft, according to Adam Zagoria, who spoke to Bradley on Thursday.

“I’m getting late-first round, early second round right now,” Bradley told Zagoria at the Quest Multisport Complex in Chicago.

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) grabs a rebound against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Killian Tillie (33) during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) grabs a rebound against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Killian Tillie (33) during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Although Bradley played second fiddle to UNC starters Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks this past season, he did have an important role on the team. He was North Carolina’s first man off the bench and Roy Williams’ go-to big man when Meeks or Hicks were winded or in foul trouble.

He averaged 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting better than 57 percent from the floor. He was also one of the nation’s best offensive rebounders.

Bradley officially declared for the NBA Draft last month, but didn’t hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of a return to UNC. However, he’s gotten good feedback from NBA scouts and general managers in the time since, giving him reason to remain in the draft.

Bradley is also in continued contact with Roy Williams, who has provided the freshman big man with counsel throughout the process.

“He’s just saying he’s supportive of me whatever decision I make,” he said. “So I told him the NBA is one of my goals and dreams so he’s very supportive.”

The Tar Heels haven’t had a one-and-done player since forward Brandan Wright left the program after just one season in Chapel Hill back in 2007.

Related Story: Impact on Tar Heels lineup if Tony Bradley leaves UNC

Stick with Keeping It Heel for continued coverage of Bradley, as well as Meeks, Hicks and Justin Jackson, leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft in June.

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