UNC Basketball Recruiting Tracker
By Matt Hamm
In the first installment of “Ask Matt” a new weekly series here at Keeping It Heel where I let you decide what I’m working on. This week’s idea comes via Twitter from Jason Watson @jcwjbkp. Jason asked that we expand on our basketball recruiting board and that’s exactly what we’re going to do!
This tracker will stay updated in our Recruiting Section. Check back for updates on recruiting visits, rumors and updated video highlights.
Barring a surprise signing, Roy Williams looks to be done recruiting incoming freshman for the 2012 class. With the exception of senior transfer candidate Alex Oriakhi from Connecticut, next years roster appears set. The 2013 class already has two big time recruits in point guard Nate Britt and power forward Isiah Hicks. Still the class is incomplete and the Tar Heels are in the thick of the race for several of the nations top players. Roy has also started getting a jump on the class of 2014, which features several intriguing in state prospects. But before we get into all that, let’s take a quick peek at the upcoming seasons class.
2012 Class
The Commits:
Joel James
C 4 stars 6-10, 280 Riviera Beach, FL Dywer. James may be lighter than the listed 280lbs right now as he recently has said he has dropped more than 50lbs. James is a dominate defender and rebounding machine. His offensive game, while it needs some work has come a long way his senior season. If
Alex Oriakhi
doesn’t choose Carolina, James could be the leading candidate to start at center since he is the most defensive ready between him and
Brice Johnson
.
Brice Johnson
PF 4 stars 6-9, 200 Cordova, SC Edisto Johnson averaged 25.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, 8.3 blocks and three assists per game this past season. A monster defensively, Johnson is the type of player you can plug into the lineup and expect him to make an immediate impact on that end of the floor. A big time rebounder who has worked hard to get his weight down and has improved tremendously on the offensive end in his senior season. He needs to add bulk to his upper body, resembles
John Henson
a lot though he’s not as long. Has a decent post up game but runs the risk of getting pushed around inside with his skinny frame.
Marcus Paige
PG 4 stars 6-0, 160 Marion, IA Linn-Mar Paige is a natural floor general and a terrific leader on the court. An outstanding scorer, Paige can create his own how and is excellent on the catch and shoot. A very good passer with excellent hands and finishing ability. Paige needs to bulk up in the upper body and make up for his less than dazzling speed at the next level. A big time scorer in high school, Paige could be an instant dual threat at the next level.
JP Tokoto
SF 4 stars 6-5, 180 Menomonee Falls, WI Menomonee Falls Maybe the best athlete to come into Carolina since Vince Carter. Note that I said athlete not basketball player. Tokoto is a thrilling above the rim, highlight machine and will be a fan favorite day one. His game needs polish as he’s a below average shooter and not a particularly good passer. He can create his own shot off the dribble and finish at the rim as well as anybody in the class. Given the Heels depth on the perimeter don’t be surprised to see Tokoto stashed deep on the bench until sophomore season.
In Pursuit
:
senior center from UCONN has tons of experience and was the Huskies a key player down the stretch in their championship run his sophomore season. Big time dip in all his numbers his junior year mostly due to a dip in playing time. A great defender and intimidating shot blocker, excellent rebounder. Oriakhi leaves something to be desired on the offensive end but would fill a huge hole of experience with the departures of
Tyler Zeller
and
John Henson
.
2013 Class
The Commits:
Isiah Hicks
PF 5 stars 6-8, 210 Oxford, NC Webb Hicks is polished on both ends of the floor, a very talented shot blocker and 1 on 1 defender. Hicks has good lateral movement and is a decent help defender for this stage in his development. Offensively he’s explosive for a big man and can get to the rim and create his own shot. His leaping ability is on par with the top athletes in the class and he can really finish at the rim. Hicks needs to sure up his post up game and develop more back to the basket moves. Is one of the top players in the nation and fits Carolinas system like a glove. He excels at running the floor and is a tremendous athlete.
Nate Britt
PG 5 stars 6-1, 165 Washington, DC Gonzaga
Nate Britt
is another in
Roy Williams
current run of left handed point guards. Britt is a five star stud and one of two committed to Carolina so far in the 2013 class. Britt fits in more of the
Kendall Marshall
mode than 2012 PG commit
Marcus Paige
who is more of a dual threat to score. Britt is a floor general, a true point and his game resembles Marshall’s a lot. Britt is not known for his athleticism like most Tar Heel recruits. While he’s not a world class athlete, don’t let that fool you, Britt can run the Carolina transition.
Offers
:
Julius Randle
PF 5 stars 6-9, 225 Plano, TX Prestonwood Christian
Julius Randle
the #2 ranked player in the 2013 recruiting class, is a tough prospect to talk about, frankly, when I watch him play I’m not sure exactly what type of player I’m watching. Randle is a tweener right now in terms of his projected position at the next level and beyond. At 6-9, 225 you would normally pencil him in as a power forward and move on. But that may not be what Julius Randle is, if I were held at gun point and forced to compare him to another player, I’d have to go
Marvin Williams
. Randle has a lot of skill and an almost hyper active motor on the court. The 2013 five star recruit plays the game with the type of fire and passion I would relate to
Tyler Hansbrough
or
Kevin Garnett
. His confidence on the court exudes in everything he does and it’s not hard to mistaken his confidence for cockiness. Randle is being chased by all the usual suspects. Duke, Kentucky, NC State, Missouri, Ohio St, Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas, and TCU.
Jabari Parker
SF 5 stars 6-7, 215 Chicago, IL Simeon Vocational The 2013 classes #1 player. He’s as close to a can’t miss as you can get. His entire game is dynamic, I personally will be afraid if he doesn’t choose UNC at just how good he will be. He’s the type of player that could take a team on his back and carry them to the Final Four. And he has another year in high school to get better. Finding something to criticize is a tough task when breaking down Parkers game. An extremely polished all around player, Parker has the look of a player ready to come in and dominate. Parker can score and create for others anywhere on the court. He’s extremely explosive and likes to create off the dribble most in the half court. He’s terrific in the open court and likes to get out and run the break. He’s excellent leading the break with the ball in his hands or working the wing. A very good ball handler with a versatile enough game to act as a “point-forward” ala
Scottie Pippen
when called upon.
Troy Williamson
SF 5 stars 6-6, 190 Hampton, VA Phoebus Rated as the number six prospect in the 2013 class, it’s no secret why the SF is highly coveted. Williams plans to announce his decision after the season. A great scorer who can create his own shot anywhere on the court whenever he wants. Williams also is great at utilizing his length in the lane to finish at the basket. Very athletic and quick down the floor, paired with his finishing skills make him perfect for North Carolinas high octane offense. Williams is a streaky shooter who has range when his shot is on, he could stand to become a more consistent jump shooter.
In Pursuit
:
Anthony Gill
PF South Carolina just granted release from his scholarship and has confirmed contact with UNC. Gill is a solid all around, tough player who after sitting out a year could bring some needed leadership to the 2013 squad. Gill has a lot of athleticism and scored in double digits in most of SCs big games last season. He’s best facing and attacking the basket, strong, but not as big as most traditional PFs he can still bang inside.
2014 Class
The Commits: N/A
In Pursuit
:
Jahlil Okafor
C 5 stars 6-9, 270 Chicago, IL Whitney Young The Tar Heels have made only one known offer so for in the 2014 class. Center
Jahlil Okafor
a huge 6-9 270 pound five star recruit out of Chicago. Okafor is being chased by almost every major program including UNC, Duke, Georgetown, Ohio State, UConn, and Arizona among others. Parker is extremely coveted as a rare, true center. He’s terrific in the paint and has tremendous strength and a great work ethic, many feel he will be great at the next level.
Coming in Part II. All of the top recruits Carolina has looked at, with player profiles and highlight videos.
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