Tar Heels in the NBA: Injuries, Transitions, and Milestones

White shines in home debut, Barnes' streak ends, Johnson hurt, Powell sent to G League

Mar. 4, 2026 at 5:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

This week saw several notable events for former UNC players in the NBA, including Coby White's 20-point home debut for the Charlotte Hornets, Harrison Barnes' consecutive games streak ending at 364, Cameron Johnson suffering an ankle injury, and Drake Powell being sent to the G League.

Why it matters

These stories highlight the ups and downs of professional basketball careers, with injuries, trades, and developmental assignments impacting the former Tar Heels. Fans are eager to follow the progress of these players as they navigate the challenges of the NBA.

The details

Coby White scored 20 points in his home debut with the Charlotte Hornets, while Harrison Barnes' streak of 364 consecutive games played was snapped due to a sore left ankle. Cameron Johnson missed a game with right ankle inflammation, and Drake Powell was sent to the G League by the Brooklyn Nets. Several other former UNC players saw action in the NBA and G League over the past week.

  • On Saturday, Coby White scored 20 points in his home debut with the Charlotte Hornets.
  • On Tuesday, Harrison Barnes missed San Antonio's game, ending his streak of 364 consecutive games played.
  • On Sunday, Cameron Johnson suffered right ankle inflammation and missed the Nuggets' game against Utah.

The players

Coby White

A 26-year-old guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who is in his seventh NBA season after playing one year at UNC.

Harrison Barnes

A 33-year-old forward for the San Antonio Spurs, who played two seasons at UNC before being drafted in the first round in 2012.

Cameron Johnson

A 29-year-old forward for the Denver Nuggets, who played two seasons at UNC before being drafted in the first round in 2019.

Drake Powell

A 20-year-old forward for the Brooklyn Nets, who played one season at UNC before being drafted in the second round in 2025.

Day'Ron Sharpe

A 24-year-old center for the Brooklyn Nets, who played one season at UNC before being drafted in the first round in 2021.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's an older problem. It's kind of been there all season. That's no excuse for anything. Everybody's dealing with stuff at this point in the season.”

— Cameron Johnson, Nuggets forward (Altitude Plus)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This week's events showcase the resilience and perseverance required to sustain an NBA career, as former Tar Heels navigate injuries, roster changes, and developmental assignments. Fans will continue to closely follow these players as they strive for success at the professional level.