Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball recruiting: Where Tar Heels stand with future classes

By Zack Pearson

Mar 16, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams during practice for the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams during practice for the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 Class

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams reacts against the Oregon Ducks in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams reacts against the Oregon Ducks in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

UNC received an early commitment when combo guard Jalek Felton committed to the Tar Heels in December of 2014.

At the time, Felton was ranked as the No. 7 player in the 2017 class and gave UNC an early edge overall. Since then, Felton has played well but now sits in the 20’s for rankings on different sites.

Still, Felton is the highlight of this class and has the potential to be the next star guard at UNC and could start right away. Williams could go with the option of Berry and Felton in his backcourt, giving the Tar Heels two scorers at the guard spot.

With UNC losing Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks, there’s a worry that they won’t have the size in the paint. While that might be the case, UNC went after a few big men in this class.

They missed on some key targets but managed to land a commitment from 6-foot-9 power forward Garrison Brooks. The four-star Brooks should have a big impact in the paint and could start opposite of Luke Maye or Tony Bradley Jr., pending a big draft decision from the latter.

Then there is Sterling Manley and Brandon Huffman.

Huffman stands at 6-foot-9 and is the 189th-best prospect in the class according to 247 Sports, while Manley is a 6-foot-10 power forward.

Both Huffman and Manley give UNC some depth down in the paint and project to be four-year players at UNC. The hope is that they can develop and play a big role for the Tar Heels in the future.

The best shooter in their 2017 class is Andrew Platek. The guard put on a show at the Jordan Brand regional game, showing off his shooting ability for the Tar Heels.

UNC is lacking that player that can score from the perimeter, so there’s an opportunity for Platek to come in and show he can be that guy.

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