UNC Recruiting: UNC Stimulus Package

Finals came last week and the Heels were in the library more than they were in the gym.  With less games and practices, Roy Williams was on the road checking out recruits in action.  Two of the recruits Roy saw were 2013 SF Andrew Wiggins and 2014 PG Joel Berry.  Roy knew that an off week would happen this season and he definitely took advantage visiting both of these players.

The first player Roy visited was Joel Berry (Highlight Reel of the Week) last Monday.  As you know Berry had suffered a torn meniscus and is sidelined for four to six weeks, but it didn’t stop Roy to see a player he wanted.  While Joel was watching his team play, Roy watched and visited with his family till after the game where he talked to Joel himself.  Berry’s uncle said it was a great 90 minutes.  After the game Roy talked to the guard and from source Jason Jordan’s twitter “Roy Williams was clear in his message to 2014 PG @JoelBerryII: ‘He said I want you to be my pg on my basketball team. I was excited!'”  After this statement it is very clear that Berry is a main focus in the 2014 class and the future of the UNC.  When healthy, Berry is unstoppable, and I mean it!  Berry follows the footsteps of Marcus Paige and Nate Britt as a scoring guard rather than a pass first guard like Kendall Marshall.

Berry draws similarities to ex UNC guard Raymond Felton.  A powerful slasher to the basket who isn’t afraid to shoot the three and dish out to wings as well.  With the 2014 freshman class, I believe Roy wants a different approach with a two point guard lineup (assuming Paige stays) and stay away from a shooting guard.  All three guards can score just as well as they can dish the ball and I am excited by the possibility of all three playing together.  If Berry decides to commit elsewhere, other guard options are available such as Tyus Jones (which I can guarantee 100% he won’t end up at UNC) and the intriguing Australian guard Dante Exum.  Berry will be in Chapel Hill the 19th in January when the Heels square off against Maryland.  It’s a big game which needs a good atmosphere to help sway the point guard.

The second trip Roy Williams took was to watch Andrew Wiggins and Huntington Prep take on Charleston college JV.  Wiggins had a good showing earning himself a double double with 17 points and 18 rebounds (yes he out rebounded his points!).  Not much has come out about Wiggins as the Canadian star keeps everything close to his chest and gives no hints.  Roy told Huntington coach Rob Fulford that he will watch Wiggins in the City of Palms tournament in Florida the 20th of December.  Wiggins would be a wonderful surprise and addition to next year’s Tar Heel team especially if Jabari Parker selects Duke come Thursday.  Both players would start for their respective teams and Wiggins guarding Parker in college basketball’s greatest rivalry would bring even more publicity to the game.

Most people still only count Kentucky and Florida State as the only contenders for Wiggins’ services but that is because they were presumed to be the only teams recruiting him!  UNC is said to have been consistently watching Wiggins for awhile and that they have been respected by him just as much as Kentucky.  In a recent article on Andrew, ESPN analysts predicted where they believed Wiggins will end up and analyst Paul Biancardi predicted UNC!  There was only one UNC, two Kentucky’s and four Florida State’s.   It is sill very uncertain, but the fact that an expert predicts UNC is very reassuring.

As always keep checking in for news and updates regarding UNC Recruting on keepingitheel.com.

Highlight Reel of the Week:  Joel Berry