UNC Basketball: Pair of 2022 targets play in weekend tournaments

Two UNC basketball targets appeared in circuit event action this weekend. What did one evaluator have to say regarding their most recent performances?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, circuit events have not been held since July of 2019. Now, 15 months later, the circuit basketball events are officially back underway.

The Under Armour Association got the circuit started, as they held a Memorial Day Kickoff event. Teams from all across the country took part in the event, as tons of players from all over the globe had the opportunity to showcase their skills.

This weekend, both 2022 three-star center Will Shaver and four-star forward Isaac Traudt took part in the event. Both players are being recruited by Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program.

Travis Branham of 247 Sports was on hand to watch the event live, and wrote about some of the prospects that he covered. Two of the prospects he mentioned in his article just happen to be the two that the Tar Heels are currently pursuing.

This event marked the first time that Branham was able to watch Shaver play in person. Here’s what the 247Sports analyst had to say about the Alabama native:

"“The immediate impression with Shaver is his outstanding size, frame and length for the position. Shaver is big, strong and long and has excellent hands and touch both inside and out.The Alabama prospect will play physical with good footwork on the block and coupled with his hands and touch, he makes for an effective post-scorer. While he can be a tough matchup on the block, he also is an effective tool in the pick-and-roll using that large frame to clear space for guards on the perimeter before popping to the perimeter where he can knock down threes off the catch.Shaver is a true inside-out big man who rebounds his area and has a good feel and IQ for the game and my first impressions were positive ones.”"

Branham’s first impression of Shaver was definitely a good one. The three-star recruit was able to showcase different skillsets that he possesses, and showed that he can be an impact offensive player from anywhere on the floor.

In regards to Traudt, Branham mentioned that he did not have the best shooting touch this past weekend. However, the No. 1-rated recruit from Nebraska showed that he could be much more than just a scorer:

"“It was not the most productive outing for Isaac Traudt from a scoring standpoint on Saturday – although he did have some impressive buckets – but he displayed his ability to impact the game even when the ball isn’t going in the hole.Traudt has terrific size and is capable of playing both the three and four at the collegiate level. He’s smart and skilled, capable of dribbling, passing and shooting and while he didn’t shoot it well, he did the other two and more.The Nebraska native rebounded, defended and made his teammates better on the offensive end of the floor. He has good vision and passing ability for the position and when his shot is falling, it is understandable why he is a coveted high major target.Traudt did ramp his scoring up in the fourth quarter by hitting a catch-and-shoot three as well as a 18-foot fadeaway on the baseline but his ability to impact the game elsewhere was enough to leave an impression.”"

College coaches across the country search for players who can be more than just scorers. Although Traudt is known to be a good shooter, he showed those in attendance that he’s willing and capable of doing anything necessary to help his team succeed.

Based on Branham’s report, you could get the sense as to why Hubert Davis and company are recruiting both of these players. Each player possesses tools that the UNC basketball program actively searches for, as they are versatile prospects who can impact the game in many ways.

In case you’re wondering, we’re sure the North Carolina coaching staff kept close tabs on this weekend’s event. It’d also be a safe bet to say that they had to be impressed with the performances from both players.

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