UNC Basketball: Some high praise for Luke Maye
By Zack Pearson
Luke Maye is returning for his senior season and one analyst considers him one of the top players coming back
After Luke Maye tested the NBA Draft waters by working out for teams in April and May, he decided it was best that he return to the University of North Carolina for his senior season with the Tar Heels.
When Maye made that announcement, UNC got a key piece to their starting lineup back as they enter what should be an exciting 2018-19 season. Maye noted that when making his decision, losing to Texas A&M early in the NCAA Tournament was a big factor. He did not want to go out like that and wanted one more chance to make another Final Four and win it all.
Maye took a big step from his sophomore season to his junior one, becoming a primary scoring option for the Tar Heels.
He went from averaging 5.5 points per game as a sophomore to averaging 16.9 points in his junior year. There was also an uptick in his rebounding numbers going from 3.9 per game to 10.1 per game. Maye recorded 17 double-doubles, tying him for 17th among all NCAA Division I players.
While UNC fans recognized the importance, others around the nation are starting to as well.
College basketball analyst Andy Katz just concluded his list of the top 20 returning players for the upcoming season. He’s been revealing them as the days go by and finally dropped his top 5.
In that top 5? Luke Maye. Katz ranked Maye No. 2 on the list trailing only Purdue guard Carsen Edwards.
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Among the top returning players, the Atlantic Coast Conference has four listed and all are in the Top 10. Joining Maye on the list in the ACC is No. 5 Kyle Guy (Virginia), No. 6 Tyus Battle (Syracuse) and No. 10 Ky Bowan (Boston College).
With a freshmen class that was ranked Top 10 nationally incoming, it will be interesting to see what Roy Williams does with the lineup. Maye is essentially a lock at the four spot and Williams could decide to go small again or insert a center like Sterling Manley or Garrison Brooks for a more traditional lineup.
The Tar Heels will play in exhibition games in the Bahamas this August before opening up training camp in September.
Next: 5 Early storylines for the Tar Heels in 2018-19
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