The North Carolina Tar Heels always expected to be loaded for the 2018-19 college Basketball season. Well, their team got a little stronger when forward Luke Maye decided to return to the Tar Heels for his senior season. Maye delivered a stellar junior season and decided to enter the 2018 NBA Draft without signing with an agent. Therefore, Maye had the flexibility to test the waters and return to college if he didn't like his draft position. On Thursday morning, Maye made his reasons for coming back to school clear.
Maye didn't receive an invite to the 2018 NBA Combine.
However, he did meet with three NBA teams during the draft process. Once again, he will have an opportunity to prove doubters wrong next year. Yet, he must handle business on the court.
Luke Maye started all 37 games as a junior
Coming into the 2017 season, Maye was known for his game-winning shot against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite 8. Remember, Maye launched a dagger from the left wing as the clock approached zero. Eventually, the Tar Heels defeated the Oregon Ducks in the Final Four matchup. They won the national title game over the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In all, the Tar Heels won the final three games of the season by a total of nine points. None of this may have been possible if Maye didn't confidently end the Wildcats.
As a result, big things were expected as a junior.
Maye did not disappoint. He averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Tar Heels during the season. During his sophomore season, Maye averaged 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Maye didn't necessarily improve last year. He was just afforded the opportunity to play 18 more minutes per game last season.
It turns out, Maye had the ability to be an explosive offensive player at times. He shot 43 percent from 3-point range. Overall, Maye is shooting over 41 percent from the 3-point line in three seasons with the Tar Heels.
Tar Heels failed to reach third straight Final Four
If there's one thing left on Maye's resume, it's leading the Tar Heels to the Final Four.
Yes, Maye was a piece to the puzzle in the first two Final Four seasons. However, the Tar Heels were overwhelmed by the Texas A&M Aggies in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They lost 86-65 in the worst defeat of the season.
The Tar Heels finished with a (26-11) record. Overall, they are (92-25) with Maye in the program. They've never had fewer than seven losses in a season. Therefore, Maye and company have an opportunity to lead North Carolina to new heights.
