2019 NBA Mock Draft: Charlotte moves up thanks to a Tankathon simulation
. G. North Carolina. Coby White. 10. player. 18
It came as somewhat of a surprise this week when White announced for the 2019 draft. He entered the year as a candidate to return to school despite his prolific high-school ranking but improved greatly over the course of the season to move past both of his freshman counterparts at North Carolina, Nassir Little and Keldon Johnson, in draft discussions.
“This season has taught me so much and I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to play at UNC with a group of guys that have truly become my brothers for anything,” White wrote on Instagram. “These past 10 months have been the highlight of my basketball career and I’ve grown so much on and off the court.”
He added: “This year, this school, this experience has prepared me for the next phase of my basketball journey. Again, thank you! Carolina will forever be my home!”
As we all know by now, North Carolina lost to Auburn in the Sweet 16. This wasn’t their year. But coach Roy Williams’ up-tempo system was tailor-made to show off White’s game. The freshman improved his confidence during the year as well, leading to big-time scoring nights throughout March in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
White is an ideal modern guard prospect with size, passing vision and a versatile jumper. He has the size to lock down on point guards defensively. He ran a moderately complicated offense full of upperclassmen to excellence.
The Celtics would be smart to offer a well-known player like White in trade offers to New Orleans, but he would also fit in their rotation as potentially Terry Rozier and Kyrie Irving move on from the team.