UNC Basketball: No shortage of confidence for Jeremiah Francis
By Carson Brown
It hasn’t taken Jeremiah Francis long to get his confidence back after a two-year absence from the game of basketball.
Jeremiah Francis has only appeared in five games for North Carolina but he’s quickly stolen the hearts of many Tar Heel fans. The freshman guard doesn’t come equipped with natural athleticism or insane length, but what he does have is unteachable.
The way Francis plays is very rare amongst college basketball players, especially for those who are freshmen. The poise he brings to the table every time he steps on the court which is extremely intriguing for Tar Heels fans when thinking about the future of this program.
And, what makes his confidence and control even more impressive is the fact that he’s doing this for North Carolina. One of the most reputable college programs in the country which only adds to the pressure, but Jeremiah Francis doesn’t seem like the person to shy away from the big moment.
This stood out the most in the Tar Heels recent game against Yale which was the first opportunity for the freshman to get the start. Francis scored the final five points in this one to make sure the Heels would walk away victorious, but what made it so entertaining to watch was how determined he was to be the one to put them away.
He wanted the ball in his hands to finish that game and that type of demeanor is unique. The game was 65-62 with under thirty seconds left and the Tar Heels were in the midst of an ugly possession until Francis decided he was going to handle it himself.
He cut up to the top key and demanded the ball from Brooks and the rest is history. Francis sized up his defender and without hesitation put the dagger into Yale and finished an and-1 that put the game away.
Jeremiah Francis clearly has the competitiveness and a passion about him that makes him so ready for the spotlight. He’s selfless and always shows so much energy even when it’s his teammates making the plays. This play below displays how much this game means to Francis, take a look at how he reacts to his teammate finishing the play.
Jeremiah Francis appears to be the perfect replacement for Cole Anthony, and his level of confidence makes him so entertaining to watch. As time goes on, his confidence and poise should only increase which makes these next few wakes so intriguing for Francis and the Heels.
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The Tar Heels have ACC play coming up next and expect Jeremiah Francis to continue his growth and lead this team with a passion and a drive that help the Heels extend this mini win streak. Georgia Tech comes to Chapel Hill on January 4th as North Carolina plans on getting a victory to start conference action.