Three Tar Heels Secure 2026 NBA Draft Combine Spots as Veesaar Rejects Multi‑Million NIL Offer

*TL;DR Three North Carolina players—Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar and newcomer Matt Able—received invites to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine; Veesaar declined a multi‑million NIL contract to remain at UNC and improve his draft stock.

Context The NBA Draft Combine, held May 10‑17 in Chicago, gathers the league’s top prospects for physical testing, skill drills and interviews. Invitations signal a player’s standing among the roughly 200 eligible athletes. UNC’s roster now includes three invitees, a notable concentration for a single program.

Key Facts - Forward Caleb Wilson, a consensus Second‑Team All‑American and First‑Team All‑ACC selection, earned a combine invite and is projected as a top‑three pick in the 2026 draft. - Big man Henri Veesaar, also a Second‑Team All‑ACC honoree, received an invite despite turning down a multi‑million dollar name‑image‑likeness (NIL) package to return to UNC. Analysts place him in the late first‑ to early second‑round range. - Guard Matt Able, who entered the draft after a season at NC State, transferred to North Carolina under coach Michael Malone on April 21. He secured an invite and must decide by May 27 whether to remain in the draft or enroll at UNC. - Guard Seth Trimble earned a separate G League combine invitation, giving him a pathway to the NBA combine.

What It Means UNC’s trio of invitees underscores the program’s talent pipeline and could boost the team’s performance in the 2026‑27 season. Wilson’s projected top‑three status positions him as a potential franchise cornerstone, while Veesaar’s decision to forgo immediate financial gain reflects a strategic bet on higher draft placement. Able’s transfer adds depth to the guard rotation and illustrates the fluidity of college‑basketball rosters during the draft window.

The combine will provide measurable data—such as vertical leap, sprint speed and shooting accuracy—that scouts use to refine draft boards. Strong performances could elevate Veesaar into the first round and solidify Wilson’s lottery status. Able’s showing will be pivotal in determining whether he joins the Tar Heels or pursues a professional route.

Looking Ahead Watch the Chicago combine results for shifts in draft projections and monitor UNC’s final roster decisions before the May 27 deadline, which will shape the Tar Heels’ outlook for the upcoming season.