UNC Basketball Newcomer Appears as Projected One-And-Done Lottery Pick.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. As the dust settles from last season’s NCAA basketball campaign, the buzz in Chapel Hill is building and much of it centers around one name: Jayden “J.J.” Bradley. The five-star freshman guard, who arrived at the University of North Carolina this summer, has quickly drawn national attention, with early projections placing him as a potential one-and-done lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Bradley, a 6-foot-6 combo guard out of Las Vegas, Nevada, was the crown jewel of UNC’s 2024 recruiting class. Ranked No. 4 overall in the ESPN 100 and regarded as the top shooting guard in the country, Bradley committed to the Tar Heels last fall over offers from Kentucky, Arizona, and Kansas. His decision sent waves across college basketball, not just for what it meant for UNC’s backcourt, but for what it signaled about the program’s continued ability to attract elite, NBA-ready talent.
Fast forward to June 2025, and Bradley has already turned heads in offseason workouts and scrimmages. Scouts and insiders who’ve observed his game during UNC’s summer practices have been nearly unanimous: he’s the real deal. With a 6’11” wingspan, a polished offensive skillset, and a strong defensive motor, Bradley is already drawing comparisons to former NBA lottery picks like Anthony Edwards and Jalen Green.
“J.J. has the tools you can’t teach,” said UNC head coach Hubert Davis. “He’s got the length, he’s got the athleticism, but more than that, he has an IQ and work ethic that you rarely see in someone his age. He’s a competitor, plain and simple.”
What makes Bradley stand out isn’t just his athleticism or shot-making ability it’s the completeness of his game. He can score at all three levels, run an offense, and defend multiple positions. Already, analysts have noted his ability to create separation off the dribble, his smooth mid-range pull-up, and his improved three-point consistency. Perhaps most notable is his court vision and poise under pressure, traits rarely seen in freshmen guards adjusting to the physicality of the college game.
“His feel for the game is special,” said ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony. “He’s unselfish, but he knows when to take over. There’s a maturity to how he approaches each possession, and that’s going to translate well at the next level.”
Even in the early stages of the preseason, Bradley has become a focal point of UNC’s offense. With RJ Davis having declared for the NBA Draft earlier this spring, the Tar Heels will rely heavily on Bradley’s ability to score and facilitate. He’s expected to slot in as the starting shooting guard but could see significant time at the point as well. Paired alongside returning wing Seth Trimble and big man Jalen Washington, Bradley will be counted on to lead a reloaded but still relatively young Tar Heels squad.
Despite the hype, the freshman remains grounded.
“I’m just trying to get better every day,” Bradley said after a summer practice. “I came to UNC to win, to compete for a national championship. The NBA will be there, but my focus is on this team and what we can do this season.”
Bradley’s measured approach has already made an impression on teammates.
“He doesn’t act like he’s bigger than anyone,” said sophomore forward Zayden High. “He puts in the work, he listens, and he lifts everyone around him. He’s a leader even though he just got here.”
Of course, the talk of being a one-and-done is never far behind. Mock drafts from outlets like Bleacher Report, The Athletic, and ESPN have all projected Bradley as a top-10 selection in next year’s draft, with some placing him as high as No. 5. The hype is similar to that surrounding Coby White and Cole Anthony in recent UNC history, though some believe Bradley may have an even higher ceiling due to his two-way versatility.
For head coach Hubert Davis, it’s a delicate balance maximizing Bradley’s immense talent while keeping the team’s goals in focus.
“Anytime you have a player projected that high, there’s going to be attention,” Davis said. “But our message is simple: control what you can control. Work hard, play together, and the rest will take care of itself.”
UNC fans, still dreaming of a return to national title contention, are certainly excited. With Bradley at the helm, expectations are rising quickly in Chapel Hill. The program, which finished last season in the Sweet 16, is hoping that the addition of a transcendent freshman talent is the missing piece to a deep tournament run.
Time will tell if J.J. Bradley lives up to the one-and-done lottery pick projections. But if the early signs are any indication, the Tar Heels may have landed not just a star for this season — but a future NBA standout.
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