17 Tar Heels In The NBA

CHAPEL HILL—Seventeen former University of North Carolina players made 2014-15 opening day NBA rosters, released this week. Carolina's total of 17 NBA players is tied for third nationally with Kansas, ranking only behind Kentucky (19) and Duke (18).

Several Tar Heels are with new teams this year, including Vince Carter (Memphis), Ed Davis (L.A. Lakers), Wayne Ellington (L.A. Lakers), Raymond Felton (Dallas), Brendan Haywood (Cleveland), Marvin Williams (Charlotte) and Tyler Zeller (Dallas).

Carter, entering his 17th season, is Carolina's longest-tenured NBA vet.

UNC head coach Roy Williams has coached 26 NBA first-round picks, including 15 in 11 years as the head man in Chapel Hill.

The NBA season tipped off on Tuesday night. Four Tar Heels will face off on Wednesday night in Charlotte, when the Hornets' Marvin Williams and P.J. Hairston will host Milwaukee's John Henson and Kendall Marshall, fresh off having his contract guaranteed by the Bucks this week.

The 17 former Tar Heel players on 2014-15 NBA opening day rosters are:

Harrison Barnes (Golden State)

Reggie Bullock (Los Angeles Clippers)

Vince Carter (Memphis)

Ed Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

Wayne Ellington (Los Angeles Lakers)

Raymond Felton (Dallas)

Danny Green (San Antonio)

P.J. Hairston (Charlotte)

Tyler Hansbrough (Toronto)

Brendan Haywood (Cleveland)

John Henson (Milwaukee)