Henri Veesaar, a center who was once projected as a top-40 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will miss the entire 2026-27 season after tearing his right ACL during a workout on September 15. Veesaar, who transferred from Arizona to North Carolina for his senior season, had a breakout year, averaging 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, which generated interest from NBA scouts.
Read More
Despite his strong performance, he went undrafted, sliding all the way to the 52nd overall pick, where he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks. His Summer League performances showed potential, but his injury is a significant setback for his career. Veesaar is set to undergo surgery in October.
The Hawks are currently preparing for the upcoming season with Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson in the frontcourt, alongside first-round picks Asa Newell and rookie Zuby Ejiofor as reserves. While Veesaar's injury poses challenges, there remains hope for his future development. Historically, players like Chet Holmgren, who also missed their rookie season, have successfully returned to the league and made an impact.