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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 2022 recruiting class could look a lot like this

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Assistant coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Belmont Bruins during play at the Dean Smith Center on November 17, 2013 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Belmont defeated North Carolina 83-80. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Assistant coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Belmont Bruins during play at the Dean Smith Center on November 17, 2013 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Belmont defeated North Carolina 83-80. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball
Dec 30, 2019; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Ramses the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot performs on the court before the North Carolina Tar Heels play the Yale Bulldogs at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Shaver

Will Shaver was the first high schooler to commit to North Carolina following the retirement of Roy Williams and the hiring of former assistant Hubert Davis as head coach of the men’s basketball program. He did so just 24 hours after his official visit to the school’s campus in Chapel Hill, and it set off a chain reaction of commitments that would see the Tar Heels’ 2022 recruiting class go from zero to three in just over a month.

Shaver, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound center from Birmingham, Alabama, adds size and depth to a UNC front court that was hit with a mass exodus of departures at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. He also adds considerable skill, despite being underrated at No. 135 in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. By most accounts, he’s ranked among the top-20 centers in his class, and No. 2 in the state of Alabama.

Having said that, Shaver’s ranking should continue to improve over the coming months and throughout his senior season of high school. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most players outside of 5-star status simply haven’t had the kind of exposure to scouts and coaches that they normally would. With Shaver back to playing in front of crowds on a regular basis, he should see a healthy bump in that sub-100 perch he’s currently sitting at.

https://twitter.com/willshaver6/status/1379233776069394441

In terms of his playing style, Shaver is a true center. He’s good at scoring in and around the post, but also has the ability to face up and hit shots, as well as knocking down jumpers from three-point range. He doesn’t have a tremendous amount of athleticism or explosiveness, but he makes up for it with his fundamentals and mechanics. He’s also in good shape, though he could stand to add a few more pounds of muscle to his somewhat thin frame. He also uses his height and length to be a rim protector on defense.

Shaver — who had a dozen offers including ones from Alabama, Florida State and Georgetown — plans to enroll at the University of North Carolina in January, and redshirt with the basketball program in the spring. Shaver had initially planned to attend a prep school for his senior season, but since the Tar Heels have one open roster spot, he’ll get some additional time in Chapel Hill prior to the start of his official freshman season next fall.

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