Of the approximately 4,500 Division I college basketball players in the country, only 50 heard their name called at the 2017 NBA Draft on Thursday. Less than .012 percent of these college basketball players were selected in the draft by NBA teams, but many more will get their chance to prove they belong in the NBA through undrafted free agency.
Former North Carolina guard Nate Britt was given his chance on Thursday night following the draft, as he agreed to play for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada. The news was first reported by Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
UNC's Nate Britt will also play for Hawks summer league team.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) June 23, 2017
In his senior year at North Carolina, Britt averaged 4.5 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game. Britt scored in double digits in seven games for the Tar Heels this season. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland native was a viable asset off the bench in North Carolina’s national championship run, despite sharing playing time with freshman guard Seventh Woods. Britt tallied 22 minutes in the national semifinal against Oregon, recording five points and provided a spark off the bench.
Britt was often scrutinized for his lack of consistent shooting but always came through in the clutch when the Tar Heels needed him. The senior guard stepped up to help the Tar Heels defensively on the perimeter when Theo Pinson missed the first 16 games of the season due to injury.
As Britt pursues a career in the NBA as an undrafted free agent, he will join fellow Tar Heels Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks as they travel a similar path. The trio of seniors join first round picks Justin Jackson and Tony Bradley as they take the next step in their basketball career. We wish all five Tar Heels the best of luck and thank them for all they did in a Carolina uniform.