Henri Veesaar is going to stay in the NBA Draft, and it could turn out to be a great move for the Tar Heels big man if the recent mock draft from ESPN's Jeremy Woo is any indication.
When Veesaar made the decision to enter the draft, the big question was whether he would be a first-round pick and, with the event less than two months away, he is trending in that direction. Woo has Veesaar going to the Los Angeles Lakers with the 25th overall pick.
ESPN mock draft is updated this morning. Here’s where things sit after the the early entry deadline and with the lottery less than two weeks away. https://t.co/qxvigRARcn
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) April 28, 2026
Woo writes the following:
"Veesaar comes off a productive season at North Carolina and will offer sheer size and viable shooting (42.6% from 3) in a draft that has become light on true centers. He has above-average athleticism and offensive skills for his size and should also be able to hold up defensively in drop coverage. The functionality he offers on both ends should allow him to plug into a rotation next season."
He adds that Veesaar offers the Lakers an upgrade at center, where they are currently playing former top overall pick DeAndre Ayton.Â
Recent ESPN mock draft has Henri Veesaar projected to go in the first round
Some recent developments have made Veesaar's decision look better in hindsight. The 7-footer took a major step forward with his perimeter shooting this season and any big man that can shoot is going to draw interest from the NBA. The fact that Veesaar can also protect the rim, grab some boards and has the court vision to be a decent passer just adds to his value.
And don't think that his age isn't an asset either. At 22 years old, Veesaar has had some physical development and he's gotten stronger. So, he can step into a rotation next season and provide some good minutes for teams that already have a playoff-caliber roster.
Add into the equation that some players that have a similar profile, like Florida's Thomas Haugh, have decided to return to college basketball. It really shouldn't be a surprise that Veesaar is rising, as there are limited options for teams that are looking for a big man that has some skill and can jump into a rotation next season.Â
It's a loss for the Tar Heels, one that Michael Malone is going to have to find an immediate fix for. But if this first-round projection holds, it's hard to blame Veesaar for his decision.Â
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