The 2019 NBA Draft was a success for Roy Williams’ program, as three UNC basketball players were selected in the first round of the league’s annual draft.
The party kicked off with the Chicago Bulls selecting Coby White with the seventh overall pick. The all-time leading scorer in North Carolina high school history flashed that same ability during his lone season as a Tar Heel, scoring at least 33 points in three different games–including a career-high 34 in a win against Syracuse back on Feb. 26.
Reaching out to congratulate White were several former UNC stars, including current NBA champion Danny Green. Chicago native and NBA All-Star Dwayne Wade also approved of his hometown team’s selection.
The pick is in. Welcome to the Chicago Bulls, Coby White! #NBAdraft2019 pic.twitter.com/6NnxOMf1R3
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 21, 2019
Congrats my guy! @CobyWhite
— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) June 21, 2019
Great pick by the bulls. This kid can go. #CAAFamily https://t.co/9JXdKQjyvU
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) June 21, 2019
Congrats to my fellow Tar Heel @CobyWhite @UNC_Basketball on being selected #7 to the land of Michael Jordan!!! @chicagobulls Pass the Torch MJ!!! #GDTBATH #GoHeels
— Dré Bly (@drebly_32) June 21, 2019
“It’s a blessing; I’m super excited. I can’t describe it in words.”
– @CobyWhite#RunWithUs | #NBADraft2019 pic.twitter.com/FtToB7b2zb— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 21, 2019
Coby White on ESPN radio:
“Anything you want to say to Roy Willams?”
“Tell him I dadgum did it.”
— Jake Lawrence (@TheRealestRJL) June 21, 2019
White’s hair also caused a stir on social media. Good thing basketball players are not required to wear hats often.
Coby White adds to the legendary hat pics pic.twitter.com/76ZRQ32fUP
— Board Man Gets Paid (@cjzero) June 21, 2019
Cam Johnson was the next Tar Heel off the board, going 11th overall to the Phoenix Suns (via a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves).
The pick was a surprise to many, as Johnson had been projected as a late first-round pick leading up to the draft.
A leader and a competitor.
With the 11th pick of the 2019 #NBADraft, the @timberwolves select UNC’s Cam Johnson, with a proposed trade to the @Suns. #CarolinaSZN | #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/fQSOb5DYCX— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 21, 2019
The celebratory scene at the Moon Township home of Cameron Johnson as he learns he was selected with the 11th pick of the #NBADraft2019, making the OLSH, Pitt and North Carolina product the first WPIAL player to be a first-round pick since 1997. pic.twitter.com/9Lwqdl0mHN
— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) June 21, 2019
CAM!!!!! So excited for Cameron Johnson…just a first class person.
— Jones Angell (@JonesAngell) June 21, 2019
HEEL YEAH CAM!!!!!
— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) June 21, 2019
Love the Cam Johnson pick. Love love love.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) June 21, 2019
CAM JOHNSON LOTTERY PICK
— Tate (@tatefrazier) June 21, 2019
White, who was in his post-draft press conference with the media, reacted to his teammate being selected 11th overall.
Coby White's reaction to Cam Johnson getting drafted No. 11 overall to Phoenix is priceless. pic.twitter.com/W2Oe6BSvkR
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 21, 2019
This is what we mean by #CarolinaFamily
So much love 😁 https://t.co/A21D76Xa2b— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 21, 2019
Neither White or Johnson entered the season as projected lottery picks, but that changed after one season in Chapel Hill.
Most preseason mock drafts didn’t have @CobyWhite or Cameron Johnson in the first round.
After eight months of @UNC_Basketball, Roy Williams, and hard work, they’re lottery picks.
— Adam Lucas (@jadamlucas) June 21, 2019
What an incredible, life-changing business decision for Cameron Johnson to transfer to #UNC.
Got to wonder if he even gets drafted staying at Pitt. https://t.co/RC3zJMYzsP
— Ross Martin (@RossMartin_IC) June 21, 2019
Nassir Little was the last Tar Heel to hear his name called in the first round and he fell to the 25th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. This was a big difference from his preseason projections as a lottery pick.
The common word used to describe Little’s fall to Portland? A “steal.”
OK. Whoever gets Nassir Little is getting a steal now.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) June 21, 2019
Steal for Portland in Nassir Little. Not easy to find a 6-6 wing with a 225-pound frame and a 7-1 wingspan in the mid-20s. High character young man with a little more skill than he showed at North Carolina.
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 21, 2019
Absolute steal for Portland picking Nassir Little at No. 25. Congrats to Nas…he will be successful and can use this as motivation, for sure.
— Jones Angell (@JonesAngell) June 21, 2019
Nassir Little was the salutatorian of his class and a member of National Honor Society in high school.
He is a great kid and I am so happy he gets to go to great situation in Portland.
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) June 21, 2019
Overall, it was a great draft for UNC and another accomplishment for Williams’ program.
Deserving. #CarolinaSZN | #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/5JYE5l3IcE
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 21, 2019
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines