

For North Carolina, injury-plagued 2011-12 will be remembered around Chapel Hill as a season of "What if?" Its offseason begins with, "What now?"

Sophomore wing Harrison Barnes, junior power forward John Henson and sophomore point guard Kendall Marshall all are entering the NBA draft, the school announced Thursday. Add them to 7-footer Tyler Zeller, who is graduating, and the Tar Heels lose four-fifths of the starting lineup that led them to the NCAA regional finals.

Three North Carolina starters -- Kendall Marshall, left, Harrison Barnes, center, and John Henson -- all announced Thursday that they will leave school early to enter the NBA draft. Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Another player, reserve forward James Michael McAdoo, is pondering his decision this weekend, though his father said Wednesday he expects the freshman forward to be back in a UNC uniform next season.

"It's a great day for three youngsters who are taking another step toward their ultimate goal of playing professional basketball," coach Roy Williams said in a statement. "On a very small stage, it's a sad day for me because I won't get to coach them again. All Tar Heel fans will miss them greatly, as well."

Barnes, a first-team All-ACC selection, averaged 17.1 points this season, but leaves with a somewhat mixed legacy. Known for his clutch game winners as a freshman, he could never quite live up to all of the expectations that followed him as the No. 1 recruit in the nation. He struggled in his final four NCAA tournament games, making only 20 of 61 shot attempts. But he did qualify to have his jersey honored in the Smith Center rafters as a member of the NABC All-America second team. He said he will continue to pursue his degree and stressed in a statement how much he loves UNC.

"Chapel Hill is a special place,'' Barnes said in the statement. "Over the past two years I've enjoyed every single moment of my Tar Heel experience. The road we took to reach the Elite Eight in 2011 and again in 2012 were great team accomplishments. I am thankful to UNC fans, my teammates, and to have played for Hall of Fame Coach Roy Williams and the entire coaching staff. Now it's time for the next course of my journey."