Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Early Projection of 2017-18 starting lineup

By Bryson Gordon

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) dunks during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) dunks during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Freshmen: Garrison Brooks, Sterling Manley, Andrew Platek

These freshmen will see the floor, but will not likely have the roles Felton and Huffman will.

Garrison Brooks, the latest commit, will definitely see some good minutes, but he will be in relief of Luke Maye at the power forward. Brooks can play power forward and center, giving the Heels some versatility in the front court.

He does not have much of a three-point shot but is still effective with an array of solid post moves.

Brooks will likely see around 10 minutes per game this season, just to give Maye a spell every now and then.

One recruit I am personally excited about is Sterling Manley.

Manley, while not having the polished offensive game, has all the physical tools needed to succeed in UNC’s offense.

With a little polishing, his back to the basket game can be something that resembles John Henson. He has a really high motor, which will automatically get him minutes his freshman year.

If Carolina landed all of their recruiting targets, a redshirt might have been good for Manley.

Manley missed nearly a whole year his junior year when he broke both of his legs at different times. That hurt his development, but he showed enough to Roy Williams to warrant a scholarship.

Do not expect him to contribute a ton this season, but his future upside is amazing.

Finally, Andrew Platek will round out the freshman class.

Platek will bring a good shooting stroke to the class, something that nobody else really has. Felton has the ability to knock down shots, but Platek is known for his marksman capabilities.

During his senior season, Platek wanted to show people that he was more than a shooter though. He wanted to show his ability to play in the open floor, and even rebounding the basketball.

Related Story: Kennedy Meeks Season Review

Much like Manley, Platek will not contribute immediately, but he does have future upside. His ability to hit shots and spread the floor will find him a few minutes here and there during his freshman season.

All three of these freshmen are likely to find their way in the starting lineup at some point late in their career.

All statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference.

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