North Carolina can still be a national contender next year and an ACC favorite but make no mistake, it hurts to lose Reggie Bullock. If either James Michael McAdoo and P.J. Hairston had gone pro, all that would have changed.
Bullock, as Coach Roy Williams said, was Carolina’s most consistent player last year. His rebounding was nearly as impressive as his outside shooting. But Bullock isn’t ready for the NBA.
As former UNC center Eric Montross, who serves as a Tar Heel radio announcer, said at the conclusion of the basketball season, “I don’t think our players are good enough to jump to the league (NBA).” Amen.
Hairston’s mother said something I would have liked to have heard from Bullock’s mother. She said, “I am proud that he took the initiative to weigh the impact of short-term gratification versus long-term success to come to his decision to stay in school.”
On the decision to stay in school, McAdoo said, “I love this school and my teammates and I love being a North Carolina basketball player. There will certainly be a time when I want to play in the NBA, but right now I truly enjoy college life and I want to continue doing that for another season.”
In addition to getting the money as soon as possible, Bullock may not truly enjoy college life. Some players enjoy academics and/or do better than others.
Speaking of a lack of commitment to academics, 6-foot-7 Andrew Wiggins is considered the best prospect and his camp have left hints that he would go pro after one year in college. With the loss of Bullock, some think the stakes are even higher for Carolina to get Wiggins.
I, on the other hand, believe that one-and-done players can be harmful to the long-term success of a program and even disruptive during the one year he is in school. I’d rather have a player who is a 7 or 8 for three years than a player who is a 9 or 10 for one year. If the idea is to be a college team with true student-athletes, then it’s best to stay clear of one-and-done guys.
If Leslie McDonald and J.P. Tokoto can improve, Brice Johnson can put on some muscle and freshmen Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks can provide some good minutes, the Tar Heels will be fine. But, again, Bullock going pro is bad for Carolina and probably for Bullock as well.