UNC: Jackson, Meeks declare for NBA but not hiring agent

Apr 22, 2016 - 8:47 PM CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina's Justin Jackson and Kennedy Meeks are declaring for the NBA draft but aren't hiring agents.

The school announced the moves in a release Friday.

Jackson, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, averaged 12.2 points. Meeks, a 6-10 junior, averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds. Both were starters for a 33-win team that won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and lost in the NCAA championship game on a last-second shot to Villanova.

New draft rules make it easier for players to test the waters and still retain their college eligibility as long as they don't hire an agent and withdraw by May 25.

Players are allowed to enter the draft multiple times, work out for teams and participate in the scouting combine. The NBA invites roughly 70 players to participate in the combine, which will be held May 10-15 in Chicago.

In a statement, coach Roy Williams said Jackson and Meeks ''have our complete support in taking this step.''

Also on Friday, point guard Joel Berry posted on Twitter that he would return for his junior season instead of entering the NBA draft. Berry was second on the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game.

Players have until Sunday to declare themselves eligible for the draft.