As the college basketball preseason got underway last week with UNC basketball’s first practice, NBA mock drafts are in full swing getting prepared for the regular season.
UNC has a few potential NBA players on its roster and the two most notable ones returned from last year, Armando Bacot and [autotag]Caleb Love[/autotag].
In ESPN’s newest mock draft, Love was the lone Tar Heel to be selected. He was projected to go No. 40 overall.
In the SportingNews mock draft released on Tuesday, he was slotted slightly higher at No. 28 overall.
“Love had a breakout NCAA Tournament last year, playing a huge role in North Carolina’s run to the National Championship game. He’s a pure scorer and shot creator with all of the advanced pull-ups and stepbacks you see from some of the best guards in the NBA. Love’s shot consistency will determine where he lands in the draft, as the 20-year-old has yet to shoot over 40 percent from the field in college. He has the potential to be a microwave scorer off the bench at the next level.”
Love, who averaged 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season, returns to UNC with the expectation to show NBA scouts that his shooting performance last season was on par with who he actually is, not his first season.
As a freshman, Love shot just 31.6 percent from the field and 26.6 percent from three. As a sophomore, he shot 37.1 percent overall and 36 percent from three — on 6.6 attempts per game.
Love clearly has the talent to play at the next level, so this season it’s about consistency.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.