UNC Basketball: Could Ashton Hagans fit at North Carolina?
In the wake of the breaking Jalek Felton news, could the North Carolina Tar Heels make a run for point guard Ashton Hagans?
In case you missed it, Jalek Felton announced via his lawyer that he has withdrawn from North Carolina. Felton’s time with the Tar Heels was very brief and weird.
But in the wake of that, North Carolina is moving on this season without Felton. That currently leaves Seventh Woods as the only backup point guard on the roster.
For the future, many believe North Carolina has their next point guard. Coby White is one of the most prolific scoring guards in the country and has surged up the recruiting boards this year. But for next year, after White and Woods, there are no true backup point guards.
The Tar Heels could opt to play Rechon Black at point guard, his old position, but it looks like he is transitioning into a small forward role now.
Enter Ashton Hagans.
Hagans, the 8th ranked player in the 2019 class, just recently de-committed from Georgia. He has expressed his interest in re-classifying into the 2018 class and playing college ball in the 2018-19 season.
Hagans, should he re-classify, would bring an instant boost to the Tar Heels backcourt for next year. From what we have seen from Woods this season, he does not look ready to take the reins next year.
The Tar Heels coaching staff could have Hagans and White compete for the starting job and allow Woods to be the veteran presence, similar to a role like Nate Britt.
The good thing about White is his ability to play off the ball. White could step into the shooting guard role and play off the ball, which would allow Hagans, who is a phenomenal distributor, to run point.
But the Tar Heels could also bring in Hagans just to have extra depth at point guard. Roy Williams has seen first hand what it is like to be short at that position. He had to start Stilman White in an Elite 8 game because his starting point guard was injured.
Either way, Hagans has the ability to be a one and done player. If the Tar Heels bring him in, start him, and allow White to develop at a slower pace, North Carolina could have the answer to their point guard situation for the next few years.
Despite that, there is an obvious need for Hagans at North Carolina. He brings depth and talent at a position that you can never have too much depth and talent.
Do not forget that the Tar Heels already have Jeremiah Francis locked up at point guard in the 2019 class. But you can never be too safe at point guard, especially when freshmen seem to struggle in the North Carolina offense.
There has been some monitoring going on between North Carolina and Hagans, but nothing more than a coaches visit. The Tar Heels were in to see Hagans during a game this week, so was “rival” NC State.
Still, it is a good sign that the Tar Heels are entering the race for the five-star point guard. If Hagans is allowed to re-classify to 2018, it would add to what is an already stacked class for the Tar Heels.
It would also move them up in the rankings.
Related Story: Jalek Felton withdraws from North Carolina
If there are any more developments in the Ashton Hagans recruitment, check back in with Keeping It Heel!