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UNC Basketball Product Becomes Unrestricted Free Agent in NBA

Three former UNC basketball players on the same pro team could still become a reality next season.
Matt Giles|
Former UNC basketball center Day'Ron Sharpe
Former UNC basketball center Day'Ron Sharpe | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC basketball one-and-done Drake Powell came off the board No. 22 overall to Atlanta Hawks at last week's 2025 NBA Draft and was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. At least temporarily, that move gave the franchise three former Tar Heels, as Cam Johnson and Day'Ron Sharpe have been teammates there the past three seasons.

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But on Sunday afternoon, the Nets decided not to extend a qualifying offer to Sharpe. So, although Brooklyn may still end up re-signing the 23-year-old big man from Greenville, N.C., he's not currently on tap to be teammates with Powell and Johnson next season.

Sharpe, a 2020-21 one-and-done in Chapel Hill, has played in 191 games over his four-year NBA career, all spent with the Nets.

Last season, the 6-foot-11, 265-pounder averaged a career-high 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 18.1 minutes per outing. Across 50 appearances, Day'Ron Sharpe shot 52.1 percent from the field, 24.4 percent beyond the arc, and 75.7 percent at the charity stripe.

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Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball and football news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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