UNC Basketball: Ranking the 10 recruiting classes of the decade
By Alec Lasley
Classes 6-10
For the classes that didn’t make the top five, there is still loads of talent to choose from and a few classes that contributed to the 2017 National Championship. Despite that, they fell just short of the top classes in the decade.
No. 10: 2011 Class
This was a very underwhelming class for the Tar Heels. Headlined by James Michael McAdoo and P.J. Hairston, who never reached their full potential, the rest of the class was made up of players who saw the floor just sparingly; Desmond Hubert, Stilman White, and Jackson Simmons.
There was not only a lack of talent with the 2011 class, but the off the court troubles Hairston had, grouped in the with the roster around him and McAdoo, failed to see much winning during their time in Chapel Hill.
No. 9: 2019 Class
We know how this year has started out, and while injuries have been a major part to it, it is also way too early to tell how this class will turn out. The name that stands out is top-3 recruit Cole Anthony, who is currently out for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.
Outside of Anthony, backcourt members Anthony Harris and Jeremiah Francis have come on strong as of late, after missing the first eight games as they recovered from injuries, but have a ways to go in order to see how their career turn out. Armando Bacot has been inconsistent, but also flashed his potential, highlighted by his performance against Oregon in the Bahamas.
For the grad transfers, both have been anything but spectacular as Justin Pierce and Christian Keeling have struggled to find their role, and their shots early this season.
No. 8: 2017 Class
This class is currently in their junior seasons and while Cam Johnson, the Pitt grad transfer, had an excellent two seasons in Chapel Hill, the rest of the class that remains has been subpar outside of Garrison Brooks. Andrew Platek, Brandon Huffman, and Sterling Manley remain, as Jalek Felton left after his freshman year.
While Manley has been dealing with multiple knee injuries, and a future that is uncertain, Huffman and Platek remain with limited minutes of action each game.
No. 7: 2016 Class
Currently in their senior seasons, the 2016 class that started out with four members is now down to two. A class that was part of the 2017 National Championship during their freshman season saw Tony Bradley head to the NBA after just one year, and Seventh Woods transfer out of the program after his junior season.
Now, it leaves just Brandon Robinson and Shea Rush. Robinson has been a critical member of the roster this year after playing in a reserve role for the majority of his career, as Rush sees limited minutes when the game is out of hand.
No. 6: 2018 Class
This has to be one of the most talented classes in recent memory, but just missed out on reaching the top-5 classes of the decade. A three-man class of Coby White, Nassir Little, and Leaky Black saw the first two aforementioned players leave after just one year for the NBA Draft. White had one of the best freshman seasons in UNC history, while Little was inconsistent in the role he had.
As for Black, he is a starter on this years team and continues to see injuries play a major role in the first year and a half in a Carolina uniform. Time will tell if Black can be a major player on the roster, but he has the skills to do so.