Three Tar Heels remain in ESPN's post-NBA Combine Mock Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft is quickly approaching, with a pair of Tar Heels expected to hear their names called, lus the possibility for a third.

Most of the current Draft debate surrounds the lottery picks, with Caleb Wilson battling Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson for the Top 4 spots. Thought Wilson's game is arguably this bunch's most NBA-ready, Wilson will go Top 5 regardless.

In ESPN's latest mock draft, which comes after the recently-completed NBA Combine, Wilson goes fourth overall to the Chicago Bulls.

Joining Wilson in the latest mock are Henri Veesaar, projected 25th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers and Matt Able, mocked 33rd overall to the Brooklyn Nets.

Here's what NBA Draft analyst Jeremy Woo had to say about Wilson, who quickly proved himself amongst college basketball's elite, before two separate injuries shortened his promising freshman season:

"As expected, Wilson tested well vertically and posted good measurements," Woo writes. "However, he weighed in at just 211 pounds, making him more of a true power forward positionally for the time being. Although he's broadly viewed as the fourth player in this top group, there are plenty of people around the NBA who rate him higher and are enamored with his upside. Chicago looks like a friendly backstop for him."

Veesaar, who consistently recorded double-doubles while starting all 31 of his UNC appearances, formed the country's top frontcourt duo with Wilson.

Coming off a productive season, he has built solid first-round momentum, measuring as one of the tallest players at the combine," Woo writes about Veesaar. "As a near 7-footer who shot 42.6% from 3 last season, he projects as a functional rotation big man with a more tangible floor-spacing profile than the other centers in the class. The Lakers lack wing defenders and also need help at center, something they could address with this pick, depending on which players fall here. Veesaar could figure into their rotation next season."

Able is the greatest wildcard here. Slated to start in Michael Malone's first lineup as North Carolina head coach, Able thrived at the NBA Combine, but is currently projected as an early, second-round selection.

Able averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game during his freshman campaign, appearing in all 34 games for NC State. Able shot 41.6 percent from the field, including a 35.5% mark on 3-pointers, while sinking free throws at a 79.6% clip.

Wilson and Veesaar are guaranteed gone, while Able staying a Tar Heel almost certainly boosts his future Draft stock. It's exciting to know that regardless of where Wilson, Veesaar and maybe Able land, they're all catching the eyes of NBA teams.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Three Tar Heels in ESPN's updated mock NBA draft