North Carolina Basketball: Rating Each Tar Heel's NBA Draft Prospects

The North Carolina Tar Heels' championship dreams came to a close in the Elite Eight. The Tar Heels suffered a heartbreaking loss to Kansas on Sunday.

With their season over, the Tar Heels' focus now turns to the 2012 NBA draft. 

Several Tar Heel players have a chance to be selected in this year's draft. A few will decide to test the waters early, a few will graduate, and a few will spurn the NBA for now. 

Tar Heel fans hope to see their favorite underclassmen back in Chapel Hill next season. But North Carolina is a blue-chip program, and early declarations come with the territory.

All of these Tar Heel players will be evaluated at some point, but let us start now. 

Kendall Marshall

Kendall Marshall would have been a first-round selection in the 2012 NBA draft, but his broken right wrist may change that.

Marshall epitomizes the pass-first point guard. He has absurd vision and always keeps his head up. Marshall seems to see plays happen three steps ahead of everyone else. If you give him a crack, he will find a way to squeeze a pass through.

Marshall's scoring ability is a work in progress. He showed glimpses at the end of the regular season, but he's still developing his perimeter game. Marshall is a crafty penetrator and uses his stocky frame to shield off opponents. 

Defensively, Marshall can be a liability. Marshall's lack of quickness hurts him against certain point guards. He does not have a quick first step and struggles to defend the ball at times. 

Marshall could thrive in the right offense at the next level. His injury should bring him back to Chapel Hill for one more year, but that is yet to be seen. 

Marshall's ability to find open teammates without turning the ball over is unparalleled and will translate very well.

Reggie Bullock

Reggie Bullock will be back in Chapel Hill next season. He will accept a leadership role and build on his NBA draft stock.

Bullock plays shooting guard but is extremely long for the position. His length gives him versatility on both ends of the floor. 

Bullock's perimeter shot is his best asset. He is a dead-eye shooter with a very quick release. He needs to work on his handle and his ability to cut through a defense.

Defensively, Bullock is very good. His combination of length and quickness gives opposing players fits as they attempt to get by Bullock. 

NBA teams will love Bullock's three-point shot and his defensive prowess. Bullock's size will make him appealing at the next level.

Bullock could eventually be taken in the fringe of the first round, but the second round is more likely.

Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is as good as gone from Chapel Hill. The sophomore is a lock to be selected in the Top Five of the 2012 NBA draft. 

Barnes has as much, if not more potential than anyone in the draft this year. The question is: Does Barnes have the killer instinct necessary to realize that tremendously high ceiling?

Barnes stands at 6'8''. He can play 2-guard or small forward. He has a sweet stroke from the outside and the size to carve through a defense's interior. 

However, Barnes does not handle the ball with confidence. He seems to play in slow motion and does not demand the ball in big situations. 

Defensively, Barnes has the build to lock up opponents. He has not done that this season and must improve.

Barnes, in my opinion, is overrated. He will be selected in the top five, but he is questionable. He has an extremely quiet game and does not stand out in big moments. 

That should worry NBA scouts regardless of his ceiling.

John Henson

John Henson is only a junior, but Tar Heel fans should not expect to see him next season.

Henson will be selected in the lottery because of his superb defensive instincts and his budding offensive game. 

Henson's ridiculous length is extremely disruptive on the defensive end. He changes any shot he does not outright block. His presence intimidates opposing players when they enter the lane.

Offensively, Henson has developed a solid array of scoring moves. He can pivot either way in the post and has a solid mid-range jump shot. He is not shy on offense and uses his athleticism to his advantage. 

Henson will make an NBA team very happy. He needs to get stronger before he becomes an everyday starter, but the potential is certainly there.

Tyler Zeller

Tyler Zeller has played his final game in Tar Heel blue. Zeller graduates and will enter the 2012 NBA draft. 

Zeller will never be a superstar in the NBA, but he will enjoy a long, successful NBA career. He is a smart player with skill on both ends of the floor.

Zeller's offensive repertoire is versatile. He uses his height to knock down jump-hook shots consistently. He can also step out and knock down jumpers. Zeller's skill for his size creates mismatches more times than not. 

Defensively, Zeller has a knack for drawing charges. He anticipates extremely well, which also leads to his share of blocked shots. 

Zeller will go in the first round of the NBA draft. He is not flashy, and he does not ooze upside. But, he is NBA ready and an extremely safe pick at this point.

James Michael McAdoo

James Michael McAdoo could eventually be the best player out of this group of Tar Heels. But McAdoo is not there yet and must return to Chapel Hill.

McAdoo has the length, versatility and skill to be an NBA star. He will explode on the college scene next year as he takes on a larger role for the Tar Heels. 

McAdoo has an explosive back-to-the-basket game coupled with a dangerous mid-range jumper. He can take his defender off the dribble and uses his quick first step to get to the lane.

Defensively, McAdoo can defend small forwards or post players. He needs to get stronger, but his athleticism allows him to hold his own.

McAdoo could declare for the draft, but he needs to come back. The potential was there all season, but a logjam in Carolina's frontcourt did not allow him to break through.

McAdoo will have that chance next year. He could be a lottery pick in 2013.

P.J. Hairston

P.J. Hairston will return to Chapel Hill for his sophomore season; at least, he should. Hairston has NBA potential, but he needs another year or two to realize those dreams.

Hairston has the body and skill set needed to compete in the NBA. 

Hairston's 6'6'' frame allows him to shoot over smaller guards or penetrate into the teeth of the defense. He entered Chapel Hill with a sniper's reputation from the perimeter, but Hairston did not shoot the ball as expected.

The Tar Heels will welcome Hairston back with open arms. He will play a big role on their squad next year because of his offense and ability to defend multiple spots.

Hairston will eventually be an NBA pick, possibly in 2013. 

Others

Dexter Strickland

Strickland tore his ACL in late January. He will not enter the 2012 NBA draft. Strickland will return to Chapel Hill and work on his NBA stock.

Strickland is an excellent defender. He plays and defends multiple positions. Strickland's length is his biggest asset along with his athleticism in the open court. 

Strickland will never be a lottery pick, but he is good enough to get a look in the NBA. He could wind up as a second-round pick when all is said and done.

Leslie McDonald

McDonald tore his ACL in July. He did not suit up for the Tar Heels at all this season. McDonald will be back on campus next season.

McDonald, like Strickland, is a solid on-ball defender. McDonald can defend both guard spots. Offensively, McDonald is a knockdown three-point shooter with the athleticism to take opponents off the dribble. 

McDonald will probably never be drafted. If he does, it will be on the fringe of the second round. 

Justin Watts

Watts is a senior. He will not be selected in the 2012 NBA draft, and his basketball career is likely over. 

Watts was an essential, glue player for the Tar Heels. He played all five positions and gave maximum effort on every possession. Watts lacks the skill needed to play in the pros. He would need to play in the frontcourt, but his 6'5'' frame would hold him back.

Watts probably wishes he could stay in a Tar Heel uniform.