Multiple former UNC basketball standouts waived ahead of 2024-2025 NBA season

With the NBA preseason over, organizations throughout the league have to finalize their respective rosters before the regular season gets underway on October 22.

A handful of former UNC basketball standouts were affected by the roster cuts, as four Tar Heels were waived since the preseason wrapped up on Friday night.

Cormac Ryan was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was on an Exhibit-10 contract with the franchise during the preseason.

Armando Bacot was also waived, as, like Ryan, was on an Exhibit-10 deal as well.

The important thing to note is that most Exhibit-10 players get waived but ultimately end up with the respective team's G-League affiliate. Even though it would have been great to see one (or both) of them crack the main roster to begin the season, the most likely scenario was starting the year in the G-League.

After signing a two-way deal in February, Pete Nance was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former Tar Heel played most of the 2023-2024 season with the Cleveland Charge before earning an opportunity to join the team's main roster, seeing playing time in eight NBA contests.

The one that might be the most surprising is the Miami Heat waiving Nassir Little. Miami signed Little to a contract on September 24 but his stint with the franchise didn't last very long.

While it's unfortunate that these former UNC basketball standouts didn't find their way onto NBA rosters, there's still plenty of opportunities out there for them to prove their worth. Whether it's by competing in the G-League or, in some cases (like Little) waiting for another NBA opportunity to arise, these guys will be prepped for action whenever their number is called upon.