UNC Basketball: Tar Heels In The Pros Update: February 6

We’re back with another update on the Heels in the NBA. Check out how your favorite former UNC basketball stars did this past week.

North Carolina’s struggles translated to the pros as well, as Harrison Barnes and Nassir Little had some of their worst games of the season. On a positive note, Cole Anthony continues to show significant improvements, particularly with his efficiency.

Cole Anthony: Orlando Magic

Anthony’s best performance of the week came against the Timberwolves on Friday, as he played a tremendous all-around game. In 26 minutes, the guard had 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists while going six-for-eight from both the field and the free-throw line.

His minutes continue to be all over the place, as the Magic have a plethora of options at the guard position. Anthony’s 44.1% from the field on 9.4 attempts per game would easily be the best numbers of his career. He has yet to eclipse 40% in a season, so he’s showing some improvements in Orlando. It’s something that even plagued him in his lone collegiate season with UNC basketball.

Season Stats: 36 Games Played (3 starts), 12.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.1 APG

Harrison Barnes: Sacramento Kings

Barnes’ streak of 15 consecutive double-digit scoring efforts finally came to an end on the first game of the week. In fact, he failed to reach double figures in two of the four games in the week. The veteran put up 23 points in a losing effort against the Pacers on Friday.

Season Stats: 52 Games Played (52 starts), 15.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 38.7 3PT%

Tony Bradley: Chicago Bulls

The six-year veteran failed to appear in a game once again for the Bulls.

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

Reggie Bullock: Dallas Mavericks

With the Mavericks’ recent trade for Kyrie Irving, Bullock’s shooting role will become even more important in Dallas. In three games in the week, he failed to reach double-figures in each of the contests. Bullock still shot the ball decent, as he went five-for-11 (45.5%) from behind the arc.

Of his 12 total shot attempts, 11 of them came from three-point range. Expect more of the same with Irving now joining the offense.

Season Stats: 52 Games Played (30 starts),

Justin Jackson: Boston Celtics

Jackson appeared in one game in the week, as he saw eight minutes against the Nets. He put up two points, three rebounds, and an assist in his limited action.

Season Stats: 23 Games Played (0 starts), 4.7 MPG, 0.9 MPG, 25.0 3PT%

Cameron Johnson: Phoenix Suns

The sharpshooter finally cooled off, as he scored a total of 10 points in the first two games of the week. Johnson bounced back against the Pistons, scoring 20 points in 22 minutes. He went seven-for-nine from the field, including making three of his four attempts from deep.

The Suns seem to be getting healthy, as Chris Paul is back and Devin Booker seems to be close to a return. They are back up to fifth in the West, and Johnson’s presence will be huge in deciding where they end up this season.

Season Stats: 16 Games Played (15 starts), 13.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 45.3 3PT%

Walker Kessler: Utah Jazz

Kessler continues to be a huge surprise in his rookie season, filling Rudy Gobert’s vacated role quite well. In Wednesday’s narrow victory over the Raptors, the center had 17 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks.

Season Stats: 51 Games Played (17 starts), 7.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 BPG

Nassir Little: Portland Trail Blazers

Little went through his worst stretch of the season this past week. In 51 total minutes across four games, Little registered just eight points and eight rebounds. His shooting fell off considerably as well, as he missed all eight of his three-point attempts in the final three games.

The poor performances didn’t do any favors for his limited playing time, which has continued to decline since his return from injury. The Blazers have a difficult three-game home stretch this upcoming week, which includes the Warriors and Bucks coming to town.

Season Stats: 32 Games Played (1 start), 16.0 MPG, 5.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG

Theo Pinson: Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks gave up two key rotational players in the Irving trade, which could open up some minutes for a guy like Pinson. He appeared in one game of the week, playing six minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Warriors. The former UNC basketball glue guy didn’t register a single stat, other than one turnover.

Season Stats: 26 Games Played (0 starts), 5.3 MPG, 1.6 PPG, 1.1 RPG

Day’Ron Sharpe: Brooklyn Nets

Sharpe finally got some decent playing time this past week, appearing in three games. He played 20 minutes in two of the games, averaging 8.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in those two contests. Unfortunately, the former UNC basketball center was in foul trouble in all three games, racking up a total of 13 fouls.

Season Stats: 27 Games Played (1 start), 9.8 MPG, 3.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG

Coby White: Chicago Bulls

With the trade deadline this week, we will once again find out if White is traded. He put up 20 points and four rebounds in Thursday’s win over the Hornets. A change of scenery may be the best for White at this point due to the guard-filled roster in Chicago.

Season Stats: 44 Games Played (0 starts), 8.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 37.2 3PT%

Heels in the G-League

Garrison Brooks: Westchester Knicks

Brooks continues to be a double-double machine for the New York Knicks G-League affiliate, just a few years removed from doing the same with UNC basketball.

Season Stats:  13.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 56.3% FG