UNC Basketball Class of 2013 Recruiting Tracker

Head spinning from all the offers, decisions, non decisions, transfers, prospects adding and cutting teams from their lists?  It’s maddening. We’re keeping track of it all right here at Keeping It Heel.

This is an exciting time in Tar Heel basketball recruiting.  And we’re covering all of it here at Keeping It Heel.

July 13, 2012;Alexandria, VA USA;USA East forward Troy Williams (9) lays the ball up over China forward Li Jinglong (9) and LI Bin (4) during the Nike Global Challenge at Episcopal High School. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

Roy Williams is still aiming for a big haul in the 2013 class, despite several prospects cutting UNC from their list, Carolina has a great chance at having a terrific class. UNC has received commitments from point guard Nate Britt and power forward Isiah Hicks.

Tracker Updated: October 10th

Class of 2013

SF/PF Noah Vonleh 6-8, 215 Five Star Recruit New Hampton, NH

UNC is extremely interested in Noah and have been to see him at least four times since last season ended. Originally apart of the 2014 class, Vonleh recently reclassified to 2013.

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.

Vonleh listed the Tar Heels as one of three teams going after him the hardest along with Indiana and Ohio State.   Due to the news that

Julius Randle

has decided to cut Carolina from his list, Vonleh has become the top priority in the 2013 class.

SF Troy Williams Four Star Recruit 6-6, 190 Hampton, VA

Troy Williams is the nephew of AAU legend Boo Williams. For much of his basketball life he’s played with a chip on his shoulder, trying to establish himself outside of being just Boo’s nephew. Williams burst onto the national scene as a sophomore after playing a limited role his freshman 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 late April Troy cut his list down to two schools Kentucky and Carolina. He tweeted on April 30th that he would make his decision, via Twitter on May 1st after his school day concluded.

Then on the morning of May 1st, he tweeted that he woke up and didn’t feel right about the decision and that he would reconvene with his uncle, AAU coaching legend Boo Williams and make a decision later on, giving no indication as to when that would be.

It was then revealed that he was going to choose Kentucky before he woke up not feeling right. He then added to his list but said UNC and UK were above the rest, he was just letting others back in. Then he said everyone was even a couple weeks later. Then he and AAU teammate Anthony “Cat” Barber said they were going to commit together, before Barber chose NC State, a program not recruiting Troy.

Just a few weeks back he conducted some visits and decided on some officials but stated he may not sign until the spring. And that brings us to today, Troy’s latest declaration, his new “final” list of six schools.  Take it for what it’s worth, my opinion, his uncle Boo wants him in Chapel Hill and that’s where he will end up and that’s why Roy Williams hasn’t wavered in his pursuit. Troy will suit up for Oak Hill Academy this season and play with point guard Nate Britt who committed to Carolina last year. One thing is for sure, no matter what happens, Troy will keep it interesting.

Williams new list includes Louisville, UNC, Indiana, Ohio St., Arkansas, and Alabama is his final list per a tweet he sent on September 27th

C Kennedy Meeks 6-9, 275 Four Star Recruit Hyattsville, MD

Meeks was offered by UNC in late April after they watched him at the EYBL event. Like Joel James last season, Meeks is going to have to prove he can drop some weight and keep it off. At 275lbs the concern for Meeks on a team like Carolina would be his stamina. Right now I’m not 100% confident Meeks could play major minutes for Roy Williams. I had the same concerns last AAU season about Joel James and he proved he could get into shape by dropping close to 50 lbs. Meeks doesn’t need to lose quite that much but he certainly needs to drop a few waist sizes.

If he can drop the weight, Meeks could be a monster. A terrific rebounder, he’s great at creating space and taking over his area of the paint. He’s already developed an excellent low post game and his style of play translates well not just to the college level but maybe more so on the pro level. His athleticism and ability to run the floor are severely limited by his weight and wide frame. He looks like a football player on the court. Meeks is widely considered the best passing big man in the country.

Meeks recently trimmed his list and has said that UNC is going after him hard. He has looked very good this AAU season and has surprised scouts with his passing skills. He’s working hard on his conditioning and it’s starting to show. Meeks still has a long road ahead and needs to work hard if he’s going to be an impact player at the next level.

Johnathan Williams III

6’8”, 208 lbs. is the #17 ranked player in the nation and #5 power forward.

Williams is a very interesting prospect. Very similar to Randle, the southpaw big can face up like a guard with an exceptional handle. Many have compared Williams versatility to that of Lamar Odom. Williams can initiate the offense as a point forward, comfortable pushing the ball in transition and creating for his teammates in the half court.

Williams would have been a nice fallback option if UNC is unable to land Vonleh.  Williams is set to make his decision on October 18th and without an offer for UNC, it’s too late for them to get in the game for his services.

Jermaine Lawrence

Roy Williams was in attendance for the Reebok Breakout Challenge that featured Lawrence but has yet to make an offer. Lawrence is rated as a top 20 prospect and a top ten big man in the class of 2013. Lawrence has freakish athleticism and runs the floor almost as well as any big in the class. He looks like a terrific fit for UNCs up-tempo, fast break offense. He possesses tremendous leaping ability and rises to the rim in a hurry. Defensively he plays the passing lanes well and is a very good help defender.

He does a good job of carving out his area in the paint. He needs to put on a little bulk for the next level and refine his post game a little bit. His half court offensive game has exploded over the last year where he has a great shot. With three point range and the touch on his game and ball handling skills he reminds me more of Kevin Durant than a traditional big man and may be better served playing the perimeter than inside the post.

Lawrence will decide on his college future late per his high school head coach:

"“This is the most important decision he will make in his life to this point so it’s important that he takes his time with the process and feels completely ready to play for that coach and in that program,” his high school coach, Jason Hasson, told SNY.tv"

Although he will decide late leaving a glimmer of hope that UNC could get into the game late if needed. He recently tweeted his final seven, and without an offer, it’s not surprising that UNC was not apart of that group.

"“My Final Top 7 in no specific order Cincinnati, Kansas, Kentucky, StJohns, Syracuse, UCLA, UNLV,” he Tweeted."

SF Jabari Parker 6-7, 215 Five Star Recruit Chicago, IL.  Parker recently eliminated Carolina from consideration.

PF Julius Randle 6-9, 225 Five Star Recruit Plano, TX.  Randle shocked most around the recruiting world when he eliminated both UNC and Duke from his list.

UNC currently has three offers left to undecided players still considering Chapel Hill. Forward Noah Vonleh, center Kennedy Meeks and small forward Troy Williams. 2014 forward Andrew Wiggins’ head coach recently revealed that UNC has in fact offered Wiggins and did so over a year ago. Wiggins is the subject of constant reclassification rumors and could move to the 2013 class.