Carolina basketball junior forward James Michael McAdoo announced his intent to forego his final year of eligibility as a Tar Heel and enter the 2014 NBA Draft.

McAdoo scored 1,232 points and hauled in 640 rebounds in 108 games as a Tar Heel player. In his three seasons in Chapel Hill, the Norfolk, Va. native averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds.

He made the second-team All-ACC team his sophomore and junior seasons.

“I just feel I am ready to play at the next level and excited about that challenge. I had chances to go after my freshman and sophomore years but was more excited about coming back to school then. Right now I am excited about fulfilling my dream to play in the NBA and do what I have to do to take that next step,” McAdoo says.

McAdoo also says he plans to return to Chapel Hill to finish out his degree in the future.

To most observers, it was a surprising decision given McAdoo’s love for the college game and his at best, second round NBA draft projections.

Head Coach Roy Williams says he’s excited for McAdoo’s next step in his career, but that he’s also disappointed he won’t have an opportunity to coach him again.