Carter: Goodbye UNC - Hello NBA
Neither a third shot at the Final Four nor the chance to be the go-to guy for one of the nation's most prestigious programs was enough to convince Vince Carter he isn't ready for the NBA.
The North Carolina junior, who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in shooting last season, said Thursday he would join classmate and national player of the year Antawn Jamison in the June 24 draft.
Jamison made his decision public Monday.
"The team had a great time and we're all very close and we played well together on the floor but sometimes you have to be selfish and say, `What's good for Vince?'" said Carter, who helped lead the Tar Heels to consecutive NCAA tournament Final Fours in 1997-98.
"That's something I had to do. I talked to my teammates and they were all behind me, so it made it easier."
Most of his teammates attended his afternoon news conference, and just like with Jamison earlier in the week, the 6-foot-7 Carter was flanked by coach Bill Guthridge and former coach Dean Smith.
It is the second time in four seasons the Tar Heels have lost two underclassmen to the NBA. In 1995, Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace left for the pros following their sophomore seasons.
Guthridge, asked what he would do next season without his two big stars, said,"We're going to punt."
"When you are a person like Vince or Antawn -- players at this level -- you dream of playing in the NBA," Guthridge added."That's one of the reasons you work so hard. When that opportunity presents itself like it has to them it is hard to turn down your dreams."
Unlike Jamison's position in the draft, Carter's is a bit more uncertain. Smith said Monday that Jamison would likely be selected in the top five. He said Thursday that Carter would probably be picked in positions 4-10.
"It could change based on how the lottery balls fall on (May) the 17th," Smith said."Two teams have expressed so much interest in Vince who are looking for a big guard who can also play small forward."
Carter used his outstanding leaping ability to thrill North Carolina fans with an array of dunks the past three seasons, this year averaging 15.6 points in being named a second-team All-American.
"I have been working hard every summer and have continued to make myself a better player," Carter said."I kind of surprised myself at this chance. I am just going to go for it."
"One thing I think I can bring to the (NBA) game is defense. I have worked hard on it and am going to continue to work hard at it. My athleticism I hope will be a factor in the NBA."
Jamison said he believed up until a few days ago that Carter would be returning for his senior season.
"I don't think what I did persuaded him at all," Jamison said. "That's what I told him before I even made my decision. I said, `This is totally different; even though we came in together that doesn't mean we have to leave togeher.'
"I am happy for him. Vince is going to be one of the best players picked in the draft. He is going to be one of the those guys whose name is going to be in the NBA for a long time."
Carter is the ninth North Carolina underclassman to jump to the NBA, joining such names as Michael Jordan and James Worthy.
The deadline to declare for the draft is May 10.
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