The march through the 2021-22 season continues on for Hubert Davis and the UNC Basketball program as they get set to host Elon on Saturday night looking for their fourth-straight win. But the future of the program is also a priority in terms of recruiting.
For 2022, the Tar Heels have a Top 10 class with four commitments in what was Davis’ first true recruiting class after taking over for Roy Williams. The class has the potential to be a really good one and so far things look good in terms of their final years in high school. We already wrote on Seth Trimble’s big game to start the year and now another recruit is having a good start to his season in Virginia as well.
Four-star forward Tyler Nickel was the final player to commit to the class barring any surprises and so far, the Virginia native is off to a hot start this year for East Rockingham High School.
Nickel dropped 33 points in a win over Spotswood last week and in rematch, he had another big game scoring a game-high 29 points despite getting the loss:
FINAL: Spotswood 76, East Rockingham 53. Carmelo Pacheco with 21 points as seven different Trailblazers get in the scoring column to snap a five-game losing streak against the Eagles. Tyler Nickel finished with a game-high 29 points to lead East Rock. #VHSL
— Cody Elliott (@VTCody) December 10, 2021
Nickel went 2 for 6 from the three-point line but was able to get to the free throw line 12 times, making 7 of those attempts. The forward is now 24 for 40 from the field in two games this year, both against Spotswood.
The 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward is ranked No. 81 overall, No. 22 small forward and the No. 4 player in the state of Virginia per the 247Sports recruiting rankings. He picked UNC over 18 other offers including one from Virginia Tech.
East Rock returns to action next week where Nickel will have the chance to continue his hot stretch to start the season.
For more on UNC Basketball recruiting including Nickel, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.