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UNC Basketball in the NBA: What To Expect From Day’Ron Sharpe Year 1

By Richard Adkins

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Dane Goodwin #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Day'Ron Sharpe #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels battle for the ball during the first half of their game at Dean Smith Center on January 02, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Dane Goodwin #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Day'Ron Sharpe #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels battle for the ball during the first half of their game at Dean Smith Center on January 02, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NBA training camps are underway, which means UNC basketball’s Day’Ron Sharpe is that much closer to performing his thunderous blocks on an NBA court.

Just a few months ago, Day’Ron Sharpe was surrounded by friends and family as he waited for his childhood dream to come true. Many speculated a first-round pick, but no one truly knew where until ESPN announced that Sharpe was drafted to the Brooklyn Nets with the 29th overall pick. UNC basketball fans witnessed legendary Roy Williams’ last-ever first-round pick, and Sharpe was that much closer to bodegas and authentic pizza.

However, one question remains…When?

Since being drafted, the Brooklyn Nets have made some moves that could  hinder Sharpe’s NBA debut. Sharpe was already in a tough mix with Nicolas Claxton set to get more minutes this season and Blake Griffin re-signing. That mix was more shuffled after the Nets signed 15-year vet Paul Millsap and brought back five-month retiree LaMarcus Aldridge after he was cleared by doctors to return.

So, where does that leave Sharpe this season?

Sharpe will see playing time this year, but not all with the Nets. More than likely Sharpe will spend some time with the Long Island Nets, which is the G-League affiliate to Brooklyn. This doesn’t mean UNC basketball fans won’t see Sharpe on the Barclays court this season, but it does mean he will undergo what many current NBA players experienced, such as Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Danny Green. The biggest problem in Sharpe’s game is his best quality.

He still plays like a 2000’s big.

Sharpe is solid at grabbing rebounds and finishing in the paint, however, floor spacing and mid-range shooting are still a need. Sharpening up those skills to fit that of a modern big could be a much faster process playing in Long Island, rather than sitting on the bench in Brooklyn. I don’t expect Sharpe to spend his entire rookie season in the G-League, especially when you factor in the Nets roster age. Sharpe’s impact for Brooklyn could come in the latter half of the season when the vets need a rest game or if any injuries arise.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1443385165569474560?s=20

To keep it simple. UNC basketball fans will eventually be able to see thunderous blocks from Sharpe in Brooklyn…It is just going to take some time.

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