All Tar Heels

Injury Interrupts UNC Basketball Product's Career-Best Season

Former UNC basketball one-and-done Day'Ron Sharpe is out indefinitely with the Nets due to a knee injury.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Day'Ron Sharpe is one of only two players who have seen action in all 37 games for the Brooklyn Nets (16-21) this season. But the 2020-21 UNC basketball center won't be with the team for its trip to Paris, where Brooklyn will face the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-15) in Accor Arena at 2 p.m. ET Thursday.

The 22-year-old Sharpe, in his third season with the Nets since getting drafted No. 29 overall in 2021 following his one-and-done Tar Heel campaign, hyperextended his left knee during Sunday's home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

On Monday, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported that "it's unclear how long [Sharpe] will be out." However, it looks like the Greenville, N.C., native will be sidelined for at least two weeks, as that's when the team plans to reevaluate the status of his injury:

As alluded to above, Sharpe, the Nets' primary backup at center, has been a durable, promising piece to the squad's rotation this go-round. He's averaging career-high stats across the board: 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 16.0 minutes per outing off the bench.

Brooklyn's other UNC basketball talent, 27-year-old starting forward Cam Johnson, has played 29 games this season, averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.

If the regular season ended now, the Nets, No. 10 in the Eastern Conference standings, would sneak into the NBA Play-In Tournament.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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