DATE: Saturday, March 29, 1997              TAG: 9703290635

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS                      LENGTH:   94 lines

TITLE COULD PUSH JAMISON TO PROS

A huge banner draped across the exterior of the RCA Dome reads, ``The road ends here.''

It is in reference to the arrival of the four survivors in the NCAA tournament: North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky and Minnesota.

But UNC fans in their blue and white warm-ups who shuttle past the banner in search of a ticket to today's semifinals game against Arizona may read a different meaning.

Is it the end of the road in a Tar Heels uniform for their sophomore All-American Antawn Jamison?

The closer the Tar Heels get to winning a second national championship this decade, the closer the 6-foot-9, 222-pound Jamison seems to get to an early start to his pro career.

Before last week's East Regional championship game, teammate Vince Carter said he was sure Jamison would make an outstanding pro player.

``But not before he leads us to the Final Four,'' Carter added.

The road ends here, but is it where Jamison gets off?

``It's his decision,'' Carter says.

Neither Jamison nor UNC coach Dean Smith is talking this week about that decision.

Smith explained a few weeks ago he would explore Jamison's professional opportunities at the end of the season and discuss them with the player and his family.

If Jamison appears to be a high draft pick, chances are Smith will recommend he take the money.

That's what Smith did - not once but twice - following the Tar Heels' last Final Four appearance two years ago.

Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse, both sophomores, passed up their final two years of eligibility to sign rich pro contracts with Smith's blessings.

Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Kempsville's J.R. Reid, Jeff McInnis, and Bob McAdoo were other Tar Heels who Smith sent to the pros before their eligibility expired.

Smith said he thought all were ready to begin pro careers except for McInnis, who simply needed the money.

McInnis got some money, but the second-round draft pick did not stick with Denver.

How ready is Jamison?

Pro scouts, who do not speak publicly about noncommitted underclassmen, say privately he needs to develop upper-body strength and a 15-foot jump shot.

But they love his attitude, quickness, jumping ability and rebounding skill.

Most of all they like his potential.

Stackhouse recently admitted he was not fully ready to begin his pro career when he left UNC prematurely.

``I would have had time to develop my shot if I had stayed another year or two,'' Stackhouse said.

``But the opportunity when it comes is hard to turn down.''

It can be turned down, though.

Wake Forest's Tim Duncan said he was having too much fun in college to take the money and leave early.

It is possible Jamison could do the same for the same reason.

Jamison said early in the season he didn't think some players who left early for the NBA knew what they were getting in to.

``I have talked to some of those guys and they say there's no play time,'' Jamison said.

``I enjoy college. I can go to parties and hang out with my friends. If I were in the NBA, I wouldn't be able to do that.''

Others Tar Heels players, including Jordan, said much the same before sitting down with Smith in post-season to talk about their future.

``In each case, I've tried to recommend what is best for the players, and it is not whether they will give up their education to play professionally,'' Smith says.

``The ones who leave early come back to finish their education.''

McAdoo, Jordan, Worthy, and Reid all have degrees from UNC. Stackhouse and Wallace are working on theirs.

While Georgia Tech went from first to last after losing freshman guard Stephon Marbury early, Smith has been surprisingly successful in plugging the holes.

He brought in Jamison and Carter the season after he lost Wallace and Stackhouse. He signed Ed Cota to take McGinnis' place this year.

Thus, despite losing three talented players early in two years, the Tar Heels are back in the Final Four.

Smith may already have a replacement for Jamison lined up, too, if he does decide to leave after this season.

High school star Orlando Melendez, a talented 6-foot-8 forward, is said headed for Chapel Hill if a scholarship opens up for him.

Jamison's departure is one way that could be accomplished. ILLUSTRATION: Color staff file Photo

This season's success could be the last hurrah with the Tar Heels

for sophomore Antawn Jamison, left.

FILE

Pro scouts say privately that UNC sophomore Antawn Jamison needs to

develop upper-body strength and a 15-foot jump shot.

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