Earlier this week, many of the NBA teams began training camp for the upcoming season.  Some are fortunate to have Tar Heel Legends on their roster to begin the season.  

Ryan Blake, assistant director of scouting for the NBA, says expect big things from his favorite UNC player, Wayne Ellington.

Ellington will begin his rookie season as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Accompanying him in the NBA will be former teammates Danny Green with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ty Lawson with the Denver Nuggets, and Tyler Hansbrough with the Indiana Pacers.    

Blake expects significant contributions from all of the former Heels.  Ty Lawson will have the ability to learn from veteran guards like Chauncey Billups, while Danny Green is expected to be a key reserve.  Wayne Ellington will compete for a starting position as Minnesota rebuilds.  Tyler Hansbrough is still nursing the shin injury that nagged him for the early part of his senior season at UNC, but is expected to ready for the start of the season on October 27th.  Blake says NBA teams could regret not selecting Hansbrough in this past summer’s NBA draft.

Mark your calendars for November 25th when former teammates will meet as Ellington’s Timberwolves will host Lawson’s Nuggets.  Lawson and Hansbrough will meet with their new teams on November 3rd.