UNC Basketball: Tar Heels In The Pros Update: January 23

There were some impressive performances this past week from former UNC basketball stars in the NBA. Check out who shined and who continued to struggle to get playing time.

We’re back for another edition of former UNC basketball players’ performances in the NBA over the last week. Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson officially returned to action this past week, and he picked up right where he left off.

Elsewhere, Chicago Bulls backup guard Coby White’s name is being brought up in trade rumors once again. Harrison Barnes is showing no signs of slowing down, as he’s having the best season of any Tar Heel. Check out how your favorite former Tar Heels did in the NBA this past week:

Cole Anthony: Orlando Magic

Anthony had arguably his best performance of the season on Friday against the Pelicans. In 26 minutes, the point guard put up 22 points, three rebounds, and four assists.

It was just his third time reaching 20 points in what’s been a difficult 2022-23 campaign for Anthony. He got to the line in that Friday performance, shooting and making a season-high eight free throws.

Season Stats: 28 Games Played (3 starts), 11.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.2 APG

Harrison Barnes: Sacramento Kings

Barnes continues to be a vital contributor for the Kings, who have surprised many in the West. He had yet another good week, including two 20-point performances.

Against the 76ers on Saturday, Barnes scored 27 points while making six of his nine three-point attempts. His efficiency, as he’s shot 48.5% from the field, is the second-best in his 11-year career.

Season Stats: 45 Games Played (45 starts), 15.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 48.5 FG%

Tony Bradley: Chicago Bulls

More of the same for Tony Bradley, who saw just one minute of action on the week. At this point, a demotion down to the G-League may be the best option for the six-year career.

Season Stats: 10 Games Played (0 starts), 2.6 MPG, 1.2 PPG, 1.0 RPG

Reggie Bullock: Dallas Mavericks

Bullock continued his best stretch of the season into the week, combining for 33 points in the first two games of the week. He went 9-for-13 from the three-point line for his third and fourth consecutive games in double figures.

Bullock ended the week with a zero-point performance in 32 minutes against the Clippers on Sunday. Despite the poor finish to the week, he’s showing signs of life of returning to his usual self.

Season Stats: 46 Games Played (30 starts), 6.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 35.5 3PT%

Justin Jackson: Boston Celtics

Jackson didn’t appear in a single game on the week, as he’s played a total of just 83 minutes this season. The former UNC basketball star has struggled mightily when he has played, going just 5-for-22 from the field overall.

Season Stats: 19 Games Played (0 starts), 4.4 MPG, 0.8 PPG, 22.7 FG%

Cameron Johnson: Phoenix Suns

Cam is back! After missing a few months, he returned to the lineup on Thursday against the Nets and showed no signs of rust. He scored 19 points in just 21 minutes in the narrow victory. Johnson sat out Saturday’s game against the Pacers for knee management but returned to the floor on Sunday.

He played 29 minutes in the surprising win over the Grizzlies, racking up eight points and six rebounds. HC Monty Williams will likely continue to increase Johnson’s minutes this upcoming week as the Suns try and get back into the playoff picture.

Season Stats: 10 Games Played (9 starts), 13.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 39.3 3PT%

Walker Kessler: Utah Jazz

Kessler opened the week with a dominant performance against the Timberwolves, the team that traded him at the 2022 NBA Draft. He grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds, while also tying his career-high in points with 20.

Kessler followed that up with another double-double in the win over the Clippers but struggled in the final appearance of the week against the Nets.

Season Stats: 46 Games Played (12 starts), 7.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.0 BPG

Nassir Little: Portland Trail Blazers

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups continues to ease Little back in from his injury. Despite playing under 20 minutes in each performance, Little ended the week with back-to-back double-figure games.

He continues to show improvements from behind the arc as well, as he went three-for-six against the Lakers. In 25 appearances, he’s now shooting 41.1% from the three-point line.

Season Stats: 25 Games Played (0 starts), 15.2 MPG, 6.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG

Theo Pinson: Dallas Mavericks

Like a few other former Tar Heel players, Pinson is struggling to see the floor. He’s played just one of the three Mavericks contests, as he appeared in four minutes against the Heat. Barring an injury on the wing, he will struggle to find minutes at the NBA level for the 2023 season.

Season Stats: 24 Games Played (0 starts), 5.5 MPG, 1.7 PPG, 1.2 RPG

Day’Ron Sharpe: Brooklyn Nets

Sharpe appeared in two of the four games in the week, playing a total of nine minutes. He continues to lack box score production when he does see the floor, as Nic Claxton continues to play a ton of minutes as the Nets’ center.

Season Stats: 23 Games Played (1 start), 8.4 MPG, 3.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG

Coby White: Chicago Bulls

In his only game of the week, White did well in limited minutes. He played just 17 minutes against the Thunder, and he scored 10 points while making four of his five shot attempts.

Along with adding in a steal, White made both of his three-point attempts. The former UNC basketball point guard continues to be in trade rumors, as the New York Knicks have been his latest rumored destination. The deadline is just a few weeks away on February 9th.

Season Stats: 37 Games Played (0 starts), 8.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.8 APG

Heels in the G-League

Garrison Brooks: Westchester Knicks

Despite two losses, Brooks had a dominant week. He averaged 19 points and 16 rebounds while going 15-for-29 (51.7%) from the field in the two contests.

Season Stats: 15 Games Played,13.4 PPG, 12.2 RPG