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UNC Basketball: Former Tar Heels to miss time for respective NBA teams

By Blake Cockrum

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 21: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 21: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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A pair of former UNC basketball players will miss time with their respective NBA teams, one due to a positive COVID-19 test and the other with an ankle injury.

Following his team’s practice on Wednesday night, Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan announced that third-year reserve point guard Coby White has tested positive for COVID-19.

White, who is fully vaccinated, will enter the NBA’s health-and-safety protocols and will not travel with the team for upcoming games against the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. It’s a tough break for White, who had only returned from a nagging shoulder injury nine games ago. Although he’d gotten off to a bit of a slow start since his mid-November debut, White had recorded a pair of double-digit scoring games, including a 20-point performance against the Orlando Magic last week.

Another former Tar Heel, Nassir Little, will be out of the Portland Trail Blazers’ lineup for at least a week following an MRI that confirmed a left ankle sprain. The third-year wing out of Pensacola, Florida turned his ankle in a November 29 game against the Utah Jazz, and will now miss games against the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors before being re-evaluated on December 8.

Little is having a bit of a breakout season for the Blazers, recording career-highs in points (8.3), rebounds (5.3), assists (0.8), blocks (0.6), steals (0.8) and minutes per game (22.4). He’s also shooting a personal-best 47.8 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from three-point range. His 82.8 percent mark at the free throw line is also north of his former career-best set a season ago (80 percent).

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Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Coby White, Nassir Little and UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA.

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