UNC Basketball Recruiting: Simeon Wilcher shines against top prospect

UNC basketball commit Simeon Wilcher shined in a Friday night matchup with the nation’s No. 1 prospect.

North Carolina fans are already excited about Simeon Wilcher’s commitment and the anticipation of him suiting up for the Tar Heels in the fall of 2023. Sure, that’s a bit of a ways away, but with Wilcher’s skill and athleticism and the impressive pedigree he’s built through two-plus seasons of high school ball, there’s little wonder why they’re teeming with anticipation.

Wilcher, the No. 14 recruit in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite, pledged to UNC head coach Hubert Davis in mid-October, nearly two years before he’ll officially step foot onto Roy Williams Court as a member of the Tar Heels. He’ll have plenty of time between now and then to work on his already budding game, one that boasts an incredible amount of offensive firepower and savvy, and explosiveness for days.

That was all on display again on Friday night when Wilcher’s Roselle Catholic squad took on Camden and the nation’s No. 1-ranked prospect, DJ Wagner. Wagner scored 25 points despite leg cramps and a bloody nose, and his Camden team came out on top by a final score of 67-64. Wilcher did everything he could to carry his team to the finish line, but his 21-point, seven-rebound effort simply wasn’t enough, nor was the buzzer-beating three-pointer he hit as the third quarter came to a close.

But it was more than enough to reinforce UNC fans’ early impression of the talented young guard that committed to North Carolina without hesitation during Late Night festivities at the Dean Smith Center two months ago.

After all, Wilcher’s latest performance, one that showcased his abilities in primetime on ESPNU, is just the latest example of what he’s been doing for some time now. He’s been a consensus five-star prospect since recruiting outlets began ranking players from the 2023 class, and it’s unlikely that’ll change over the next couple of years.

Wilcher’s future role with the Tar Heels is unknown. Will he be a backup to 2022 UNC commit Seth Trimble? Will Wilcher and Trimble play alongside each other the way that Caleb Love and R.J. Davis currently do? There’s really no telling at this point, but he’ll be a difference-maker in one way or another.

And given the way that he feels about the Tar Heels and the way their fans already adore him, he’ll undoubtedly be a hometown favorite from day one.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on UNC basketball recruiting, as well as everything Tar Heels.