UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 2022 recruiting class could look a lot like this
Mark Mitchell
The Tar Heels have been recruiting Sunrise Christian’s Mark Mitchell for quite some time, dating back to last fall when Roy Williams and then-assistant coach Steve Robinson began targeting the sensational wing from Wichita, Kansas. They offered Mitchell a scholarship in November, and were considered one of the major players in his recruitment. In the months since, however, things appear to have gone in the opposite direction.
According to 247Sports, North Carolina is no longer among the teams considered to be leading in Mitchell’s recruitment. It’s now Duke, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State and UCLA that are listed as “warm” or “warmer” in terms of Mitchell’s interest in the respective schools. That’s no surprise among those who follow the UNC basketball program, as the Tar Heels have continually come up short in the recruitment of 5-star wings over the past few years.
Judging by comments that Mitchell made in late December regarding the Tar Heels and their coaching staff, though, it sounds like Williams and company may have been on their way to ending the program’s recent streak of futility recruiting elite wings.
"“North Carolina…I have a really good relationship with Coach [Roy] Williams and Coach Robinson and I’ve been talking to them weekly, a couple of times a week, and just building that relationship,” Mitchell told Stockrisers’ Jake Weingarten. “My mom is also from North Carolina actually, so that’s one of the options right now.”"
It’s unfortunate for the Tar Heels, who would love to add an outstanding wing prospect to their budding 2022 recruiting class that’s already ranked second in the nation. Mitchell would certainly fill that void given his athleticism, physicality and skill set. Although he isn’t an excellent three-point shooter, he’s a gifted slasher and inside scorer, frequently showing his ability to post up on offense as well as crash the boards on both ends of the court. Due to his size and versatility, he should be able to play both forward roles, and guard multiple positions.
Mitchell, a 6-foot-8-inch, 205-pound small forward, is the 12th-ranked prospect in the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s fourth among small forwards, and No. 1 in the state of Kansas. Rivals has Mitchell ranked even higher at No. 8 in the class, while ESPN currently has him at 19th overall.