P.J. Hairston files D-League paperwork, will be in 2014 NBA Draft

Finished at North Carolina and no longer enrolled for the spring semester, P.J. Hairston filed paperwork on Friday to join the D-League.

The would-be junior guard is ineligible to go directly to the NBA but can finish out the year in the D-League and then enter the 2014 NBA Draft. 

Hairston issued a statement on Friday indicating that he will try to finish his degree via online courses. The basketball-relevant portion is as follows:

"Additionally, I am pursing an opportunity to play basketball in the NBA's Developmental League, and submitted my paperwork this afternoon.

"I am excited to continue to pursue my degree at UNC while also pursing my dream of becoming a professional basketball player.

"I appreciate all the support I've received during this process and hope everyone is having a great New Year so far."

In 2009-10, Latavious Williams skipped college altogether to play in the D-League before entering the draft, while Mike Taylor left Iowa State in 2007 to join the D-League and then enter the draft, as well. More recently, Glen Rice Jr. was selected in the 2013 draft directly out of the D-League.

So there is precedent, and after sitting out the entire year so far, Hairston can likely use the showcase to up his draft stock. Currently, DraftExpress has him as the No. 32 prospect while ESPN has him 41st.

Last season, Hairston averaged 14.6 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Tar Heels in just 23.6 minutes, flashing range and an elite ability to score the basketball. Even if he performs well, however, interviews are likely to play a large part in any team's decision to draft him given his off-court issues.