Henri Veesaar Missed Out on $5M+ in Potential NIL Amid UNC Star's NBA Draft Slide, CBB Coach Says

Former North Carolina standout Henri Veesaar fell all the way to the No. 52 pick of the 2026 NBA draft and likely cost himself significant money in the process.

After being projected as a borderline first-round pick, Veesaar wasn't taken until late in the second round, going to the Atlanta Hawks after a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Although he could still have a solid NBA career, the draft slide represents a major misstep after deciding not to return to college.

One college coach told Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 that Veesaar would have made a "minimum" of $5.5 million if he stayed in college for the 2026-27 season.

CBS Sports' Matt Norlander previously reported Veesaar received offers from multiple schools of at least $6 million to join them via the transfer portal.

Meanwhile, only the top 10 picks in the draft will earn more than $6.1 million for the 2026-27 season (via Spotrac).

Although Veesaar would have received two guaranteed years on his rookie contract if he were selected in the first round, he doesn't necessarily receive any guarantees after coming off board in the second round.

Second-round rookies negotiate contracts with their respective front offices after the draft concludes.

Veesaar previously discussed the decision to forgo another year with the Tar Heels at the draft combine.

"Obviously, it's tempting," Veesaar said, per CBS Sports' Isaac Trotter. "Like, there's a lot of money being thrown around in college. It's another year of going to school, being able to get ready for the NBA, but honestly, kind of getting thrown into the fire is the best way to learn. I had that as a freshman in college. I feel like I had the same one as going to Real Madrid when I was 15. You kind of get thrown in the practice with players that are older than you, better than you, more experienced than you. So you learn a lot quicker."

Veesaar is coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign at North Carolina, earning All-ACC second team honors.

He averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.8 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from three-point territory.

Veesaar will now try to prove himself with the Hawks at the next level.