North Carolina junior forward James Michael McAdoo announced that he will enter the 2014 NBA draft on Thursday.
McAdoo had been flirting with entering the draft the last two seasons. This season he averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebound, helping the Tar Heels go on a 12-game win streak. The Tar Heels lost to Iowa State in the third round of the NCAA tournament. They finished the season with a 24-10 record. Even though he’s leaving North Carolina for the NBA, McAdoo has said that he will complete his coursework to earn a history degree, according to the Associated Press.
''I just feel I am ready to play at the next level and excited about that challenge,'' McAdoo said. ''I had chances to go after my freshman and sophomore years but was more excited about coming back to school then. Right now I am excited about fulfilling my dream to play in the NBA and do what I have to do to take that next step.''
McAdoo has improved each year that he has played. He is good at attacking defenders and hitting face-up jumpers. The struggles have come at the foul line, where he has shot 55 percent the last two seasons. In the last two seasons McAdoo has averaged 14.3 points and 7 rebounds. He’s earned second team All-ACC honors the last two seasons. In 108 collegiate games he has scored 1,232 points and 640 rebounds, according to Sports Network.
The Tar Heels aren’t just losing McAdoo. They are also losing fifth-year senior Leslie McDonald. Marcus Paige, Joel Berry, Justin Jackson, and Theo Pinson will be returning to the Tar Heels however. McAdoo is projected to be taken in the second round of the draft.