UNC Basketball Recruiting: Who Will be the Final Wing in 2014?
In the class of 2014, Roy Williams and the University of North Carolina have made it clear that he is focusing on the wingmen of the class. Williams has already landed two stellar guards in point guard Joel Berry and forward Justin Jackson. With a point guard and small forward covered Roy Williams if focusing on the shooting guard position to finish his class. Three players have been offered so far and at least one of them will be the next of many faces in the Carolina blue uniform. These players are Theo Pinson, Rashad Vaughn, and Devin Booker.
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The two guard is probably the most awkward positions in basketball. Being short of the forward and center positions and too big for point guard (minus some NBA exceptions) the shooting guard has to be explosive and flawless on both the offensive and defensive end. Rashad McCants, Wayne Ellington, and Dexter Strickland (when not injured) have showed traits for the position and have been threats for the Carolina the past couple of years. With senior Dexter Strickland graduating, Roy needs one more wing to finish his class and has three guards in mind that can fill the void. Pinson, Vaughn and Booker are all capable of doing this.
During the process Theo Pinson was the first guard to be offered following Rashad Vaughn then Devin Booker. Each guard has their own strengths and weaknesses that complete themselves as a player and each can bring their skills to UNC. First is Theo Pinson. Pinson is a knowledgeable player with a high IQ. Pinson has the ability to run the point as well as be a threat inside and outside the arc. Pinson also is an explosive player that can dunk on any defender when the opportunity. Pinson would be a great addition to the Heels as a replacement point guard when the true ones are not in. With Marcus Paige and Nate Britt absent on the floor Pinson would be able to step in and lead to the offense to scoring points and making key stops. Pinson is currently in a battle between Indiana, UNC, and Duke with the Hoosiers and the Blue Devils on top. I would love to see Pinson in Carolina Blue and play for the Heels but in an honest opinion I do not see him play for the Heels in the future. Pinson shares leadership abilities like Strickland and possesses the penetrating skill he has with a better jump shot then Pinson. Many fans believe Pinson will end up in Chapel Hill due to him being so close to the town and attending a lot of games. In all honesty I believe Theo is taking advantage of his recruitment and want attend UNC. I see Theo as a rival at Duke or making his own strides at Indiana. Roy has made it clear he wants to see Vaughn or Booker in Carolina blue with his most recent interest.
Rashad Vaughn is the second two guard to be offered in the class. Coach C.B. McGrath was the first coach to make it up to Minnesota to watch Vaughn play. When Roy and Hubert Davis came after the scouting report they were happy. Vaughn made it clear that he is a natural scorer and has explosiveness unlike the other prospects when going to the basket. Vaughn has showed an aptitude for scoring and can either shooting a three or posturizing a defender in the paint. Either way Vaughn has showed a skill similar to Rashad McCants with the explosiveness in scoring. Vaughn can either shoot the three or still the ball and finish with a 360 dunk. The potential in flashiness and scoring is a big time appeal to UNC fans everywhere. Carolina fans are currently needing a player that can score when call upon and give the fans something and someone to look forward too when in the game. Vaughn is a great player when called upon and can steal any teams’ momentum in a second. Vaughn is very high on UNC in the process and is looking to meet with Coach Roy Williams in the near future to decide future visits and plans. Vaughn’s interest has caused him to become a favorite of recruits to join the already stellar class.
The last wing guard to be offered is Devin Booker. Devin Booker is a sharp shooting assassin behind the arc with a defensive presence and ability to penetrate when called upon. Booker is the best shooter of the other two guard where he is scoring ability resembles shooter Wayne Ellington. Like Ellington Booker is able to defend well and run the fast break whether finishing with a three or a dunk. Booker last visited UNC during the win against North Carolina State and saw the potential of how his three point shooting could be used. Current Tar Heels PJ Hairston and Reggie Bullock were both recruited as shooting guards and are currently three point machines this season for the heels made almost what it seemed every basket giving Booker comfort that his position could be used besides the normal traditional post player at UNC. Booker seems high on Duke but has great respect for every program recruiting him such as Michigan, Michigan State, and his father’s alma mater Missouri. Either one of these players has a decent chance of picking to play at North Carolina but it is a mystery at the moment. While the commitments of Joel Berry and Justin Jackson are out of the way, look for the next to be in the future. All three of the guards offered are in no rush to decide. While I may be wrong look for Roy to continue to consistently meet with the three and try to secure a commitment from one of them. I as a Tar Heel fan would be happy with any of the three and am excited to see the last gap in the class filled. Either way one of them will be able to score and bring excitement to Chapel Hill.