UNC Basketball: Ranking the 10 recruiting classes of the decade

No. 3: 2012 Class

Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Joel James, and J.P. Tokoto

What a memorable class that 2012 was. And although it didn’t work out the way every UNC fan wanted in 2016, it will go down as one of the best teams in Roy Williams’ era, and one of the best classes in the decade.

Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson need no introduction as they were both two of the best players for Carolina in the past 10 years. Paige, who struggled with his shot during his senior season, finished UNC ranked third all-time in three-pointers made (225) and is one of two Tar Heels with at least 1,400 points, 450 assists, 100 steals and 200 three-pointers in a career (Jeff Lebo). The Iowa native started 105 of a possible 107 games played in throughout his career.

Not only was he beloved by all Carolina fans, noted by his unbelievable senior night speech, but he gave Tar Heel fans one of the most exciting moments in Carolina history with his shot in the 2016 National Championship.

For Johnson, his first three years were nothing compared to his senior season. A consensus First-Team All-American, Johnson did just about everything on the floor, highlighted by his 416 rebounds, breaking Tyler Hansbrough’s single-season UNC record.

The two roommates and best friends had two of the best careers in Carolina history and will be remembered as two of the best players in Roy Williams’ era as well.

J.P. Tokoto was one of the most athletic players to come through the program in the past 20 years, but never really felt 100 percent comfortable in his role. Surprisingly leaving after his junior season, Tokoto was a triple-double type player every game. His passing and rebounding ability was a great addition to the team that had scorers like Paige and Johnson for the majority of his career.

For Joel James, the Florida native played a reserve role for the Tar Heels for the majority of his career, but did have an impact both on and off the floor.