UNC Recruiting Prospect Profile: Theo Pinson
Out of all the positions on the basketball court, the two guard and three man have the potential to be the most exciting players on the floor. With size that can handle the ball as well as drive in to the paint and dunk on a defender, they are the most versatile players on a team. For the class of 2014, the only thing better than a shooting guard and a small forward is a player that is listed at both. One player that comes to mind is Theo Pinson. The number one player in the state as well as a top 10 prospect in the country
Feb 2, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams reacts in overtime. The Tar Heels defeated the Hokies 72-60 at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Theo Pinson is a five star prospect for a reason. He has been playing the two guard position early in high school, but he is continuing to grow. Theo is listed at 6’6 and converting to the small forward position, but is still considered a shooting guard on the recruiting board. After next year, there will be another mass exodus of UNC players with the graduation of Reggie Bullock, Leslie McDonald, and possibly an early NBA departure from PJ Hairston. Theo Pinson could come in and fill the position in for any of those three. Out of the three players just listed, Theo is most like Reggie Bullock. Both players were 6’6 190 in high school at the same position. The only difference is, Reggie was a better shooter and Theo is more explosive with the ability to finish with a dunk rather than Reggie’s preferred fast break layup. The departure of the wing man after the 2013-14 season leaves only JP Tokoto left to hold the fort. Roy Williams knows that departures could be evident and is focusing on filling those positions for the team.
Theo Pinson is listed in the shooting guard position in the recruiting strategy and joins wings Justise Winslow and Justin Jackson. At the shooting guard position, Theo is still the only player at the two guard to receive an offer even though there has been a lot of evaluation in guards D’Angelo Russell, Rashad Vaughn, and Devin Booker. Theo is ranked higher than these three players on ESPN and the other recruiting sources. Another reason Theo is a priority is that he is from Greensboro, NC. With Greensboro being a 45 minute drive from Chapel Hill it is very appealing to know that his family and friends have an easy trip to watch him and it is important to keep the best players in the state of North Carolina. Theo Pinson is in the process of trimming his list and nothing is official, but a rumored top three consists of Duke, UNC, and Indiana.
Pinson has taken only one official so far to the University of Indiana. There were lots of good things to say about Indiana and Tom Crean on his end while he witnessed Indiana take down Michigan. After his visit he said he was looking to trim his list. While Indiana has been his only official visit, he has taken numerous unofficial visits to both Duke and UNC. One of the visits included an unofficial with center Jahlil Okafor and point guard Tyus Jones. As everyone knows, Jones and Okafor have made becoming a package deal apparent to all of the schools recruiting them and Theo Pinson joined the mix. In my opinion, the package deal won’t go through. Only a few schools have offered the three and with the supply of players out there, coaches don’t have time satisfying the need for a couple of players. While the three players were on their UNC portion of the visit, the players reenacted the infamous Austin Rivers game winner. Tar Heel fans will grimace when they find out Theo Pinson was the first to make the shot. On the bright side of the topic, it is reassuring to recruit a player that can make a tough shot with a defender in their face. Theo is firends with other Tar Heel recruits as well. Theo has talked to Joel Berry a lot and even played USA basketball with him. In an interview with Inside Carolina Theo was surprised Berry committed so soon but wasn’t surprised he chose the Tar Heels. Pinson also said playing with a strong point guard is appealing and he is definitely considering the Heels.
Overall Theo Pinson would be a great addition to the team. With UNC still rumored in his top three and the new rule that juniors are able to visit look for Theo to take an official soon. For the 2014 class wing players are the main targets and will be needed. Theo Pinson has all the aspects of a Tar Heel basketball player fast, strong, athletic, and local. So Tar Heel fans show your support for Theo and let’s get him here wearing Carolina blue.