UNC Basketball: Two future Tar Heels sign LOI’s on Wednesday
Two future Tar Heels sign Letters of Intent on Wednesday
The North Carolina Tar Heels got a good one in five-star class of 2019 prospect Armando Bacot, and his commitment became official on Wednesday. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center signed his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at North Carolina at approximately 10:00 a.m. according to Rivals recruiting analyst Eric Bossi.
Ranked No. 19 in the 247Sports Composite, Bacot was a standout at Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia before transferring to Florida-based IMG Academy for his senior season. Roy Williams and the Tar Heels spent years recruiting the talented big man, but it wasn’t until mid-August that he pledged to the University of North Carolina.
It was Bacot’s tremendous size, skill and athleticism that first made him stand out to college coaches across the country. But it was his fabulous work ethic that turned him into one of the most coveted big men in the 2019 class.
He’s a blue-collar worker in the paint and finishes well around the rim. He’s a great rebounder and good passer for his position. His skill set and conditioning should also allow him to transition well to the Tar Heels’ fast-paced, uptempo style of play.
Jeremiah Francis, the Tar Heels’ first commitment from the class of 2019, also signed his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning. He put pen to paper around 8:00 a.m. according to Bossi.
At one point, Francis was a four-star, top-50 prospect considered to have tons of upside. There’s been little talk of him over the past two years, though, as he missed much of his junior and senior seasons to multiple injuries.
When healthy, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound point guard is an elite talent. He’s got good speed and ball-handling skills, and can shoot the rock with efficiency, too. If he can stay healthy, he provides immediate depth for the Tar Heels next season. And he stands to be a potential starter at North Carolina after the departure of current UNC guards Seventh Woods, Coby White and Rechon Black.
The Tar Heels are still working on a number of uncommitted prospects in the 2019 class, including five-star guard Cole Anthony. Anthony, though, isn’t planning to make a college decision until the spring. His recruitment, as well as a few others on the UNC radar, may span the entire college basketball season before coming to conclusion.
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