UNC basketball’s Harrison Ingram, Tar Heels talk win vs Michigan State
Following UNC basketball’s win against Michigan State in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Harrison Ingram was among the Tar Heels to speak with reporters.
A trio of North Carolina basketball players will get an opportunity to play for an NBA franchise this summer.
Harrison Ingram, Armando Bacot and Cormac Ryan are the latest Tar Heels hoping to get a shot to play in the league. Their showing in the NBA Summer League, which begins July 6 in Sacramento, could produce a chance to land a roster spot ahead of the regular season in late October.
The California Classic Summer League begins July 6, followed by the Salt Lake City Summer League (July 8). Those leagues feature select teams, but the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, which begins July 12, will feature all 30 squads.
Here’s a look at the latest UNC basketball players to join NBA teams and how to watch those former Tar Heels in the summer league.
The lone draft pick in this group, Ingram was selected by the Spurs in the second round with the No. 48 overall pick in the NBA draft. A 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-foot wingspan, Ingram feels like a perfect fit for the Spurs because of the versatility he can provide for a young roster.
Ingram will likely join fellow draft pick Stephon Castle (UConn) in Sacramento and San Francisco at the California Classic, which features the Spurs, Heat, Hornets, Kings, Lakers and Warriors. The Dallas native could end up on a regular-season roster that includes budding star Victor Wembanyama and veteran all-star Chris Paul.
UNC’s rebounding and double-double king, Bacot is signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Jazz. An Exhibit 10 deal is a one-year, minimum salary contract. As a traditional post player, it could be harder for Bacot to find a place in the NBA. But, in his final season with the Tar Heels, Bacot became an All-ACC defender and displayed a willingness to enhance his skills as a screener. Those two areas, along with his rebounding prowess, might give him a shot.
Duke’s Kyle Filipowski was among Utah’s draft picks, joining Cody Williams (Colorado) and Isaiah Collier (USC). Bacot could join that trio at the Salt Lake City Summer League, which begins July 8. The Jazz, Grizzlies, Thunder and 76ers are participating in that three-day event before heading to Vegas.
Ryan signed a free-agent deal to join the Thunder on an Exhibit 10 contract. Known for his 3-point shooting and leadership, Ryan became one of UNC’s top players during an ACC regular-season championship run last season. He finished his career as a 35.2% shooter from long range and knocked down a career-best 75 treys in his final season.
Serbian guard Nikola Topic, Weber State’s Dillion Jones and UC Santa Barbara’s Ajay Mitchell were Oklahoma City’s draft picks. That trio, along with Ryan, will likely head to the Salt Lake City Summer League.
All times Eastern
Here’s a look at the summer league schedule for the Jazz, Spurs and Thunder.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
