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UNC Basketball: Day’Ron Sharpe among best value picks

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 24: Day'Ron Sharpe #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after being called for a foul against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 24, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Marquette won 83-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 24: Day'Ron Sharpe #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after being called for a foul against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 24, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Marquette won 83-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC Basketball standout Day’Ron Sharpe spent just one season with the Tar Heels program after committing as a five-star recruit and made an instant impact. But after one season, Sharpe felt like it was enough to take his game to the next level.

And on Thursday night, Sharpe found his new destination in the NBA being drafted by Phoenix and traded to Brooklyn as part of a deal.

The center will join a loaded Nets roster featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden among others. But the team does have a need for a legit post player and that’s where Sharpe can fit in. Despite not being a lottery pick, Sharpe does offer some value and one analyst believes he could be a steal of the draft.

Eric Bossi of 247 Sports wrote on his biggest values for the 2021 NBA draft and on his list he included Sharpe. Here is what Bossi wrote on Sharpe:

"Sharpe has done an excellent job of getting in the best shape possible and there can’t be much doubt that his strength, hands and rebounding feel will allow him to continue to be a glass eater on the next level. I’ve always felt that Sharpe is more offensively skilled than he’s gotten credit for and while he’s not a sexy athlete, there will always be good value in a guy who can run from rim to rim and get a bucket when you throw the ball to him in the post. Whoever gets him, they’ll be landing a guy who should ultimately surpass expectations."

In his one season at North Carolina, Sharpe averaged 9.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field. He was effective not only as a rebounder but as a scorer in UNC’s offense despite splitting time with Armando Bacot, Garrison Brooks and Walker Kessler.

Right away Sharpe will be on a championship contender as Brooklyn is one of the early favorites to win it all next season.

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For more on Sharpe and other former UNC Basketball players in the NBA, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.

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