Dec 3, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen is an underrated prospect from Helsinki BB Academy in Finland. He isn’t listed in the ESPN 100 but is a four star prospect according to the 247 Composite score. Roy Williams has been out recruiting Markkanen hard, even visiting him in his home, per Tar Heel Illustrated.
Finnish Star Lauri Markkanen Talks About Roy Williams' In-Home Visit Tuesday https://t.co/PRcRcBGcpB @clintjackson1
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) September 28, 2015
Roy Williams and Steve Robinson are in Finland today, for an in-home visit with Lauri Markkanen. The 6-11 stretch PF is a key recruit.
— Clint Jackson (@clintjackson1) September 28, 2015
Markkanen would fit in very nicely with the current recruiting class and team that UNC is building. He is a stretch four and could play alongside Tony Bradley in the Tar Heel frontcourt for years to come. Watching Markkanen, you see a raw prospect with a lot of upside and talent for a young European prospect.
According to 247 Sports, Utah, Arizona and the Tar Heels are the three teams with the best shot of signing Markkanan. All three have offers out to the power forward and will be hosting him for a visit when he makes a trip in mid-October. Roy Williams is smart to go hard after this youngster. He is the second of three prospects that would fit in very nicely in the Tar Heels’ 2016 recruiting class.
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