After such a disappointing season in Chapel Hill, one would think that North Carolina sophomore Ed Davis would want to stay in school for another year to revive his draft stock, especially with phenom recruit Harrison Barnes coming in.
Ed Davis Declares For NBA Draft, Won’t Wait For Harrison Barnes
Instead, the allure of guaranteed money claims another one, as Davis will declare for the NBA Draft, according to a University press release. Davis averaged 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a season-ending wrist injury in late February and did not play in North Carolina’s run to the NIT Championship game.
On one level, it does seem odd for Davis to come out now, especially when so many other underclassmen are doing the same. His own performance, as well as his team's, was disappointing on the surface, and things will surely be better with Barnes coming to town next year. At the same time, Davis is currently projected to be a lottery pick (Draft Express has him going seventh), and it's tough for anyone to pass up that chance. Just ask Willie Warren, who was a projected lottery pick last year and is now in deep trouble after a poor sophomore campaign and his recent arrest.
Either way, considering the way North Carolina played in the NIT without him, it might be good for both parties for Davis to move on and pursue his NBA dreams.
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