KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- As the first session of drills and scrimmages at the annual NBA predraft camp ended, most players quickly shuffled into the locker rooms.
At one end of the court, three college teammates stayed on the floor, shooting together. Apparently, North Carolina's early entry prospects aren't ready to split up yet.
The next few days will go a long way in helping Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green each make a huge choice: return to Chapel Hill for another season of chasing a national championship or decide the time is right to enter the NBA.
"It's a big decision," Ellington said. "But this week, we're just going to worry about playing."
Green said he will likely go pro if he's a lottery selection on draft night, June 26. Lawson wants to be a top-20 pick. Ellington is curious to learn if he would be selected by the latter point of the first round.
For now, it's a mystery. But by the time this camp -- which brings together 60 or so draft hopefuls, not including a number of lottery locks such as Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo, to play before dozens of NBA coaches, scouts and executives -- closes Friday, the Tar Heels will have plenty of information to help make their decisions.
"I know I can compete. I feel I can compete anywhere," Green said. "I just want to see how well I can compete. I want to know where I stand. The objective is to get drafted. And if it doesn't work out, I have the option of going back to school. So it's great for me. I have nothing to lose if I go back to school."
All three say they don't expect to make their decisions much before the NBA's cutoff date for the draft, June 15.
"It feels like I'm holding all the cards," Lawson said. "And it feels good. I wouldn't want someone else holding my cards."
The Tar Heels went 36-3 this past season, losing to eventual NCAA champion Kansas in the Final Four, and already received a huge boost when national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough decided to return for his senior season in Chapel Hill.
Ellington, Lawson and Green -- the three leading scorers after Hansbrough -- all acknowledge that the idea of another season in Carolina blue is tempting.
Of course, so is the lure of NBA riches.
"I'm trying not to really think about it," Green said. "I'm more about competing and trying to be the best and not looking toward the money and things.
"On draft night, yeah, I'll be thinking about the money. It's an issue. I get reminded all the time by family and friends that this is a business, about money," Green added. "But for now, I just want to be one of the top kids in this camp and one of the top kids in this draft."
Ellington says he's in perfect shape.
Lawson and Green, however, might have a bit to prove.
Lawson struggled with a sprained left ankle through much of the second half of the season, but participated in the first predraft session Tuesday night without a brace or tape on the joint -- which he says is so strong that the 5-foot-11 point guard is dunking again. Green has a balky left foot, which seems to be limiting his explosiveness.
"It doesn't look good for me right now," Green said.
He plans on working through three more days at the Disney complex, and from here, all three plan on making individual visits with NBA teams.
In a couple of weeks, they'll huddle with family and other advisers, each deciding what's best for them.
It may be to come back and try to add another national championship to the Heels' storied legacy.
"I feel like it might be my time to go," Lawson said. "But if they all decide to come back, it might be different, because we all still want that championship. We'll see."
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