UNC Basketball Recruiting Tracker Updated Class of 2014
By Matt Hamm
Head spinning from all the offers, decisions, non decisions, transfers, it’s maddening. We’re keeping track of it all right here at Keeping It Heel.
Although it may appear that this is the off season, it’s far from that. In fact, this is one of the most exciting times of the year. Tis the season of recruiting. North Carolina coach Roy Williams and his staff has been extremely active since the season ended for Carolina.
Click HERE for our other recruiting tracker, breaking down the commits.
The Tar Heels have set their sites on the next two classes 2013 and 2014. This tracker will provide updates on who the Heels are looking at and track each players recruiting journey.
Class of 2014
2014 is a strong class right now. The class is particularly strong in the state of North Carolina and UNC could conceivably have a couple local recruits from this group. The Heels have confirmed four offers so far in the 2014 class with mixed reports on the status of another. Roy is going after the top players in the class and could have a great group when all is said and done.
PG Tyus Jones 6-0, 175 Apple Valley, MN Jones is rated as the #1 PG in the class and is a consensus five star prospect.
Jones may be a tough get for Carolina who has Marcus Paige and Nate Britt already committed in the 2012 and 2013 classes. Meaning Jones would likely be looking at a role off Carolinas bench as a freshman, something he may not want to do as the top point in the class.
I love Jones’ game, when I watch him, I can’t help thinking about Tony Parker the entire time. He’s very mature and has a high basketball IQ and makes very few mistakes on the floor. Not a big time scorer and he doesn’t wow you with his athleticism on the court, he’s the perfect, steady leader who does it all on the court. Jones was offered by Carolina on August 3rd.
SG Theo Pinson 6-5, 180 Greensboro, NC
Pinson is a great talent on the court with a lot of versatility. An excellent mid range shooter with range, Pinson is a consistent scorer and can fill it up in a variety of ways. A very good ball handler who can lead the break and create shots for himself and teammates. Pinson also thrives getting to and attacking the basket.
He needs to bulk up a bit and tighten up his game on the defensive end to thrive at the college level. A consensus five star prospect the local prospect was offered a scholarship in July by Roy Williams.
SF Justise Winslow 6-6, 210 Houston, TX
Winslow is the number 2 rated SF in the 2014 class, very explosive to the rim he is an advanced ball handler that gets to the rim in a hurry. He runs the floor well and can lead the break himself, unique skills for his size with a high basketball IQ. Winslow is a good fit in Carolina and despite his advanced skills he still has a lot of upside. Justise is yet another lefty that has drawn Carolinas attention.
Andrew Wiggins SG 6-8, 195 Huntington, WV
currently apart of the 2014 class from Canada has challenged Jabari Parker for the title of best prep player in North America, regardless of class. Wiggins game is almost flawless and it’s hard to see him playing two more seasons in high school. Rumors of him reclassifying to the 2013 class have been both unrelenting and unsubstantiated, in other words, it’s anybody’s guess when Wiggins will actually hit a college campus.
Wiggins is a physical freak who runs the floor like a point guard, can lead the break with very good ball handling skills, is great in isolation and can create for himself and teammates in the half court. A natural and smooth operator in the half court, Wiggins gets to the rim in a hurry with his explosive, attacking style that often surprises defenders.
Wiggins has improved his jump shot and range over the summer and is a more than capable contributor in all facets of the game offensively. Wiggins is not a flashy player, with a tremendous basketball IQ, everything he does on the court serves a purpose. He doesn’t waste dribbles or hang around the perimeter, he attacks at full speed and often overwhelms the opposition.
No offer has been made to Wiggins yet, and I think it’s about time that changes.
PG Joel Berry 6-2, 180 Orlando, FL from Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, FL is being looked at by Carolina. Berry is the first ever sophomore in the state of Florida to be named Mr. Basketball. Berry is one of the top PGs in the class and has been quoted as saying that Carolina is his dream school.
UNC officially offered Berry just days after offering top 2014 PG Tyus Jones. Berry is now weighing 11 total offers.
C Jahlil Okafor 6-9, 270 Five Star Recruit Chicago, IL (Arkansas, Connecticut, DePaul, Florida, Florida St, Illinois, Kansas, Marquette, Michigan St, Nebraska, UNC, Ohio St, Syracuse, West Virginia)
There have been mixed reports about whether or not Okafor has an offer from UNC. He was first viewed as the first and only offer in the class, now that the program has recognized the other four offers, it’s a bit grey on the status of Okafor. This kid is an absolute monster, In my view he’s the cream of the crop in the entire class. A big time center who plays extremely well with his back to the basket. Advanced footwork, solid fundamentals and several nice, go to post moves make him elite inside. A very good rebounder and defender with the size and strength to be truly special.
The perceived knocks I’ve heard on Okafor are fine with me mostly. He’s not very good at facing the basket, I like versatility but I prefer my centers inside, battling the other bigs. He has no jump shot and isn’t the best passer out of the post.
SF Noah Vonleh 6-8, 215 Five Star Recruit New Hampton, NH (Boston College, Connecticut, Kansas, UNC, Pittsburgh, Providence, Syracuse) UNC is extremely interested in Noah and have been to see him at least twice since the Tar Heels season ended. Compared to most in the class, he has a relatively short list. He was either the first or second offer in the class by Carolina depending on what you believe with Okafor.
Vonleh is a very good athlete with a crisp jump shot and range to go with it. He can run the floor with the best of them and finish at the rim like a pro. His game translates very well to the collegiate and professional levels. At 6-8 he presents all kinds of match up problems for defenses playing the SF position. To further that part of his game he needs to work a little bit on his post game, especially in the high post where a turn around jumper could be deadly at his size.
Which class he will ultimately end up in is a mystery. He could also end up playing either forward spot at 6-8, Vonleh could end up being the prize recruit regardless of which class he comes out of.
SF Justin Jackson 6-6, 175 Spring, TX
Jackson is another one of several prospects getting a look by Carolina. An athletic wing with a high basketball IQ, Jackson is a very good shooter and can get to the basket. At 6-6 and decent strength, he could end up evolving into a PF by the time he reaches college ala John Henson (I realize I use Henson in comparisons a lot, he’s a bit of an enigma if you think about it, more on that down the line). Defensively he’s solid and holds his position well.
SF Jalen Lindsey 6-6, 180 Nashville, TN Whenever I watch Jalen Lindsey play, made for Carolina is all that runs through my mind. I never really end up making a very good analysis of his game. His athleticism is off the charts, he’s great on the break and a sportscenter highlight dunk special waiting to happen. Lindsay grew up a Tar Heel fan, the Heels have started the process of looking into Lindsey and like Berry could be an easy commit considering where his heart is.
"“When I was growing up it was always North Carolina [who I liked],” Lindsey told NRS. “They’ve always had a real good history, a lot of good players who have went there and that really inspired me. I really like [head] coach [Roy] Williams and I’ve always liked the team, period.”Keep up on all the recruiting action right here at Keeping It Heel. Click HERE for a list of the off season AAU events.Sign up for Keeping It Heel’s New Forum, Coming Soon!Subscribe to our mailing list"