Former UNC Basketball Star Harrison Ingram Drafted in Second Round

Harrison Ingram took the UNC Basketball program and the fanbase by storm when he transferred to Chapel Hill from Stanford last summer. He immediately became a fan-favorite on and off the court. He was the ultimate "glue guy" for a team that was looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022-2023 season and they certainly did that behind the strengths of Ingram.

Ingram made an impact in almost every category on the stat sheet in his one year at North Carolina, averaging 12.2 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game. He was the second most effecient three-point shooter with a 38.5% average on 170 attempts.

It appeared behind the strength of Ingram along with the surrounding roster that the Tar Heels would have a chance to make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament and potentially reach the Final Four. However, that hope came to an end with an 89-87 loss to No. 4 Seed Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen.

Given the way the season ended and with some key backcourt pieces returning next season with RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau, there was hope among the fanbase that Ingram would opt to utilize his final year of eligibility and return to Chapel Hill for one more year and another shot at a Final Four.

After exploring all his options though, Ingram felt it was best for him to enter and stay in the 2024 NBA Draft Class given his performance this past season was the best of his collegiate career and that this has been viewed as one of the "weaker" draft classes in recent memory. There was potential for Ingram to be drafted in the first-round, however that didn't happen and he fell to day two of the NBA Draft.

On day two, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Harrison Ingram with the 18th pick of the second round and 48th overall pick of the draft. It was the fourth overall selection for the Spurs in the 2024 draft class, as they held two of the first eight picks. Ingram joins Stephon Castle from Connecticut, Rob Dillingham from Kentucky, and Johnny Furphy from Kansas as part of the 2024 draft class in the Spurs Organization.

The Spurs went 22-60 in the 2023-2024 regular season and finished 14th (out of 15) in the Western Conference. Ingram will be missed in Chapel Hill, but Tar Heel fans will now be following him throughout his NBA Career.