Advertisement

North Carolina forward J.R. Reid says he...

Share via

North Carolina forward J.R. Reid says he is awaiting a recommendation from Coach Dean Smith, but several National Basketball Assn. coaches say they expect Reid to bypass his senior year and make an early entrance into the pros.

“The kid’s coming out this year,” said an NBA official whose team has a draft lottery pick told The News and Observer of Raleigh. “If he doesn’t, I’ll be very, very surprised.”

NBA coaches and officials can be fined by the league for talking about college underclassmen or assessing their pro potential, and many requested anonymity when contacted by the newspaper.

Advertisement

Smith said he had conferred with 11 NBA teams about Reid. But he offered no further comment on Reid’s future.

Advertisement