Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Aaron Rohlman 2017-18 season preview

By Zack Pearson

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 17: Ramses, the mascot for the North Carolina Tar Heels performs against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during the final of the Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2013 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 17: Ramses, the mascot for the North Carolina Tar Heels performs against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during the final of the Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2013 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Rohlman enters his final season as a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program.

Walker Miller | Sterling Manley | Brandon Huffman | Garrison Brooks | Andrew Platek | Jalek Felton | K.J. Smith | Shea Rush | Brandon Robinson | Seventh Woods | Kenny Williams | Luke Maye

Senior Aaron Rohlman has a very interesting story as to how he earned his roster spot for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The North Carolina native played basketball, baseball and football at Hunter Huss High School, earning all-district honors for basketball in his final season there.

Rohlman began his career as a junior varsity player in the program and worked his way up to the roster. His hard work and dedication paid off when Roy Williams announced that Rohlman was added to the 2016-17 roster.

In Rohlman’s first year with the team, he served as a member of “Blue Steel” and won a national championship.

2016-17 season review

Rohlman’s season started off with some excellent news.

On Oct. 12 it was announced that Rohlman was added to the varsity roster, just a few weeks before the 2016-17 season started.

Rohlman told the Gaston Gazette that head coach Roy Williams told him following a practice that he had made the roster.

“Roy told me yesterday at practice that I’d made the varsity team,” Rohlman said via Gaston Gazette. “I was super excited. I’ve been blessed with so many things in life and this is another blessing.”

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward played 33 minutes in 20 games last season. He missed his only field goal attempt but was pretty good on the boards.

Rohlman grabbed 13 rebounds, with 12 of them being on the defensive end of the court.

Following the season, Rohlman was named to the 2016-17 NABC Honors Court which recognizes men’s college basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics for the past season.

2017-18 role and preview

The 2017-18 season will likely be similar to what Rohlman did last season.

Barring any injury, Rohlman will see his playing time come near the end of games that are out of hand. He will assume his role on Blue Steel once again for the upcoming season.

The Tar Heels have a revamped frontcourt going into the season and it’s not very experienced.

Rohlman can play a big part in getting the young forwards and centers ready for what the college game will bring by being a big presence in practice.

Strengths

During his limited playing time last season, Rohlman showed his ability to go up and grab a rebound.

With his height, that’s Rohlman’s biggest strength.

When “Blue Steel” enters the games, the fans love to see those players score. Despite it not always happening, they get second chances by grabbing the loose basketball or a rebound.

If Rohlman doesn’t enter the stat sheet with points, he certainly will in rebounding.

Bold Prediction

For Rohlman’s bold prediction, I’m going to say he exceeds his rebounding total from last year and grabs 15 boards.

He’s also going to find himself scoring a few buckets.

I think it’s very possible Rohlman scores his first points of his college career this year, draining a jumper early in the year. Rohlman will finish with 6 points, 15 rebounds and just 1 turnover in his limited play.

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