CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina junior forward James Michael McAdoo will forego his senior year of college basketball eligibility and enter the 2014 NBA Draft.

The Norfolk, Va., native scored 1,232 points and pulled down 640 rebounds in 108 games as a Tar Heel. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds, including 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in two seasons as a starter.

He earned second-team All-ACC honors as a sophomore and junior.

This season, McAdoo averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 boards in leading UNC to a 24-10 record, a tie for third place in the ACC regular-season standings and the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

"I am thankful to God for the opportunities I have had at Carolina,' says McAdoo. "I am thankful for everything I have been blessed to experience from my relationships with Coach Williams and his staff, to my current and former teammates and to the fact that I am so close to earning my degree from such a great institution. Without a doubt I plan to come back and finish my degree. That is important to me.

"I just feel I am ready to play at the next level and excited about that challenge. I had chances to go after my freshman and sophomore years but was more excited about coming back to school then. Right now I am excited about fulfilling my dream to play in the NBA and do what I have to do to take that next step."

"I am extremely happy for James Michael., but at the same time I am sad for me because I won't get a chance to coach that youngster again," says head coach Roy Williams. "He's a wonderful kid who has been a very dependable player and one of the top players in the ACC the past two seasons. Everyone connected to our program has enjoyed getting to know him. He's been extremely important to North Carolina Basketball and Roy Williams. We support him 100 percent in his decision, wish him nothing but the best in his professional career and understand that it is truly important to him and his family that he complete his degree work."