UNC Recruiting: UNC Stimulus Package
How is it going Tar Heel nation!? A huge past couple of days for the Heels starting off with the commitment of Joel Berry Monday night! Joel Berry is a 5 star point guard who is ranked number three at his position by ESPN. Joel Berry took his visit this past weekend and was mesmerized by the atmosphere Carolina had to offer. Point guard Marcus Paige was a big factor in getting Berry’s services as he was a heavy influence as his host for the visit.
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
After reading Berry’s tweets I was confident that the Heels would land him but I was happily surprised when the trigger was pulled this soon. Berry will be a great asset to the team with his ability to shoot and get to the basket. Berry and current guard Marcus Paige are more scoring type guards with Britt really coming in to UNC with more of a pass first game. If you are confused why so many point guards are getting offered. You didn’t pay attention to the demise of last season. Roy Williams did not want to be in a position with starting a third string (who played really well actually) in a big time game during the postseason.
The Heels have been known to secure commits early on in the process (minus Harrison Barnes and possibly Andrew Wiggins), so I am interested to see if the Dominoes start falling. I always believed Justin Jackson would be the first to commit with his love and respect of the program as a child, but the only people who really know their own destiny are the players themselves.
Speaking of Justin Jackson, Roy just returned from Houston after the Jackson’s hosted him for an in home visit. Very good things and insight was given and Justin was left with a great impression on the program and I am expecting an official visit soon. Jackson is 6’6-6’8 depending on the site you check, but his ability to play the wing and big is a huge threat to defenses everywhere. Justin also has a signature floater that frustrates coaches and players everywhere.
Two other prospects Jahlil Okafor, who holds an offer, and two guard Rashad Vaughn have both been playing at the top of their games. Okafor has been continuing to dominate every opponent matched against him and is proving he is capable of taking the number one spot. Vaughn has been blowing up defenses with sharp shooting and explosiveness to the basket. No current news on Okafor’s visiting dates but Vaughn is looking to take visits and UNC is on his radar.
For the current class coming in, all three Isaiah Hicks, Nate Britt, and Kennedy Meeks have been nominated for the McDonalds All-American game. Hicks and Meeks have been continuing to play great and Britt has been sadly sidelined with an injury in the knee.
In football, wide out Marquez North visited over the weekend leaving with nothing but good things about the visit. North even got a chant from the student section at a sporting event he doesn’t play. Marquez is announcing his decision in a couple weeks on signing day. Stay tuned for more news coming soon.
http://zagsblog.com/recruiting/rashad-vaughn-planning-iowa-state-kansas-visits/
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/21584052/notebook-jahlil-okafor-stakes-claim-for-no-1-ranking
http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article45593.aspx
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/varsity/os-hs-lake-highland-prep-joel-berry-commits-to-play-for-north-carolina-20130121,0,6404223.post
http://rushthecourt.net/2013/01/18/seven-sweet-scoops-tyus-jones-visits-kentucky-justin-jackson-hosts-unc/