UNC's Henri Veesaar Gets Honest on Falling in NBA Draft

North Carolina Tar Heels star Henri Veesaar entered the NBA Draft projected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick, but didn't get selected until the 52nd pick by the Atlanta Hawks.

"It didn't feel great. I was a little bit surprised," Veesaar said about falling to the late second round. 

Veesaar played at a high level for the Tar Heels in his senior season, as he averaged 17 points per game along with 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. The 22-year-old shot 60.8 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from three.

It was quite the breakout season for Veesaar in his one year at North Carolina. In his two years at Arizona, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, shooting 59.6 percent from the floor and 32.7 percent from behind the arc.

Veesaar developed into a stronger rebounder and shot blocker during his time with the Tar Heels and became an effective three-point shooter. He was a key piece for North Carolina as they went 24-9 in the 2025-26 season.

While it was a surprise that Veesaar fell to the late second round, he believes the Hawks were the best fit for him.

Atlanta didn't have another center on the roster other than Onyeka Okongwu. Veesaar could be the primary backup big for the Hawks as they look to make a deep run in the 2026-27 season playoffs.

Atlanta pushed the New York Knicks to six games in the first round of the playoffs, which shows promise as the Knicks went on to win the championship.

The Hawks have been active in adding to their roster this offseason, trading for Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder and inking CJ McCollum to a one-year, $21 million extension.

Atlanta was also busy in the draft, selecting Kingston Flemings with the 8th overall pick, Zuby Ejiofor with the 23rd overall pick, and Veesaar with the 52nd overall pick.

Veesaar should be a good fit on the Hawks roster as they look to make another playoff push, but the Tar Heels will miss his presence as their starting center.

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