UNC Basketball: Will Tar Heels target recent Pitt decommit?

Will the UNC basketball program target recent Pittsburgh decommit Jalen Hood-Schifino?

Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 4-star prospect in the class of 2022, decommitted from the University of Pittsburgh this week in order to reopen his recruitment. Hood-Schifino, who grew up in Pittsburgh but moved to North Carolina, committed to Panthers head coach Jeff Capel in December of 2019.

"“I felt it was important to tell them now, because I know they were not recruiting people in my position because of my commitment,” Hood-Schifino said. “This gives them a chance to do that, and it gives me a chance to go through the process.”"

Although Hood-Schifino stated that the Panthers will remain in consideration, it’s highly unlikely that he would commit to the school for a second time, particularly as high-major offers begin to roll in. At the time of his original commitment, Hood-Schifino had offers from a dozen schools, including Clemson, Florida, Illinois, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Wichita State. Given that the rising junior continues to improve, and will be playing for a national powerhouse this season in Montverde Academy, he should soon have offers from all of the major players.

The Tar Heels, in particular, have ties to Hood-Schifino both from his home in North Carolina, and his high school, which recently produced 5-star big man and incoming UNC freshman Day’Ron Sharpe. Will Roy Williams and company reach out? We simply do not know at this point, but we can assume that he’ll come across their radar at some point.

A 6-foot-6, 185-pound shooting guard, Hood-Schifino is ranked 32nd in the 2022 class according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s ranked similarly by Rivals, which has him pegged as the No. 33 prospect in the class. ESPN, on the other hand, has him ranked just outside of 5-star status at No. 23, top-5 among players at his position and third in the state of Florida.

We will continue to follow the Hood-Schifino recruitment in the months to come. Stick with Keeping It Heel for that, and everything else UNC basketball.