Former North Carolina center Henri Veesaar ended his college career last week, choosing to enter the NBA Draft.

According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, Veesaar’s decision to go pro was driven as much by lifestyle and academics as by money. Norlander reported on the Eye On College Basketball podcast that UNC made a substantial NIL pitch to keep him in Chapel Hill, but the 7-footer was increasingly ready to live like a full-time pro.

"Some guys want to chase the professional life and don't want to be burdened by having class work anymore," Norlander said. "I know Veesaar was itching a little bit to make the move to the NBA a year ago when it was not justifiable."

North Carolina still tried to keep him. According to Norlander, the Tar Heels met with Veesaar before former coach Hubert Davis was fired and discussed a significant NIL framework.

"Before Hubert Davis was fired, UNC sat Veesaar down and had substantial conversations about what a contract could look like," Norlander said. "If he had returned to Carolina, at minimum, he would have gotten to $4.5 million."

Even with that figure on the table, Veesaar was not interested in another year of balancing practices, games and near-daily classes. Instead of exploring the transfer portal and another campus stop, he chose to move on from college basketball altogether.

"Multiple schools contacted his representation, saying, 'If you go in the portal, here's the number we think we can get you at minimum,'" Norlander said. "That number, at minimum, was $6 million to Veesaar to go into the portal. I was told an even bigger number. The number was ridiculous, but the school wasn't that surprising. It didn't wind up going that way."

Veesaar, who played professionally overseas before college, committed to Arizona in 2022 and spent three seasons there before transferring to UNC. His lone year with the Tar Heels was his best, as he averaged 17 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and earned All-ACC second-team honors.

North Carolina’s 2026-27 ceiling takes a hit without Veesaar in the middle, but Michael Malone and his staff have done a solid job rebuilding the frontcourt. The Tar Heels not only retained Jarin Stevenson but also signed top international prospect Sayon Keita, who will likely start at center. They also added Maxim Logue and Cade Bennerman out of the transfer portal as key depth pieces up front.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Why Henri Veesaar ultimately chose the NBA