It’s still possible that three former UNC basketball players could share the same NBA roster next season.

In last week’s 2025 NBA Draft, UNC one-and-done Drake Powell was selected 22nd overall by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Brooklyn Nets. That move briefly created a trio of Tar Heels on the Nets, joining Cam Johnson and Day’Ron Sharpe, who have played together in Brooklyn for the past three years.

However, on Sunday, the Nets chose not to extend a qualifying offer to Sharpe. Although the team could still decide to bring the 23-year-old center from Greenville, N.C., back, he’s no longer officially set to be teammates with Powell and Johnson for the upcoming season.

Sharpe, who spent the 2020–21 season at UNC before going pro, has played 191 games across four NBA seasons, all with Brooklyn.

Last year, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound big man put up career-high averages of 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game. In his 50 appearances, he shot 52.1% from the field, 24.4% from three-point range, and 75.7% at the free-throw line.

UNC basketball player becomes NBA free agent without restrictions

Three Former UNC Stars on One Pro Team Still Possible Next Season

There’s still a chance that three former UNC basketball players could end up on the same NBA roster next season.

In last week’s 2025 NBA Draft, UNC one-and-done Drake Powell was selected No. 22 overall by the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. That move briefly gave Brooklyn a trio of Tar Heels, joining Cam Johnson and Day’Ron Sharpe, who have been teammates there for the past three years.

However, on Sunday afternoon, the Nets chose not to extend a qualifying offer to Sharpe. While Brooklyn could still re-sign the 23-year-old big man from Greenville, N.C., he’s no longer officially set to play alongside Powell and Johnson next season.

Sharpe, who played one season in Chapel Hill (2020–21), has appeared in 191 NBA games across his four-year career, all with Brooklyn.

Last season, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center posted career-best numbers, averaging 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game. Over 50 appearances, he shot 52.1% from the field, 24.4% from three-point range, and 75.7% at the free-throw line.

UNC Poised to Steal Top Duke Basketball Recruit During Official Visit!

Duke Basketball Staff Recently Joins Race for Deron Rippey Jr

The Duke basketball program has only recently thrown its hat into the ring for Blair Academy (N.J.) point guard Deron Rippey Jr.

Just weeks after adding the Blue Devils to his growing list of serious contenders, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound five-star prospect has started locking in official visits ahead of his senior year. So far, however, Rippey hasn’t scheduled a trip to Durham to meet with Jon Scheyer and his staff.

According to Duke Blue Devils On SI on Monday afternoon, Rippey has confirmed official visits with Duke’s archrival, the UNC Tar Heels (Aug. 31), as well as Alabama (Sept. 12) and Texas (Sept. 19).

Rippey is currently ranked No. 17 overall in the 2026 class, No. 2 among point guards, and the top prospect in New York, per the 247Sports Composite.

“[He has] the athleticism to make momentum-changing plays at any given point, both rising up at the rim or turning on the jets,” 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein wrote in a May scouting report. “Rippey has always been a two-way guard who impacts the game as much on the defensive end as the offensive end.”

His offer list has already surpassed 40 programs. Among them is another in-state ACC rival, NC State, which extended an offer just last week.

As of now, Duke, UNC, and NC State are all still waiting to land their first commitment for the 2026 recruiting class.