UNC basketball recruit explodes for another 40-plus point game

The future is looking bright for Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program in terms of recruiting classes. And that starts with a  four-man 2022 class that they will welcome onto campus later this year.

Davis and his staff were able to land the class that consists of Seth Trimble, Will Shaver, Jalen Washington and Tyler Nickel, and it’s expected to be close to the top 10 when it’s all said and done. But one prospect is off to a really good start in his final year of high school basketball and it’s a good sign moving forward.

Just a few days after setting a career-high with 48 points, Nickel added another 40-plus point game to his resume on Saturday night as East Rockingham took down Floyd Co. at the Chance Harmon Classic. Nickel is on a hot streak right now scoring 30 or more points in each of his last three games here in his senior year including back-to-back 40-plus point games.

The 6-foot-8, 210-pound Nickel is also climbing the Virginia Sports League all-time scoring list, sitting at fifth overall with 2,208 points. He needs just seven more to pass Duke great J.J. Reddick and likely will pass Kevin Madden for third all-time on the list.

Nickel has been on a tear this season and has six games of 30-plus points so far, hitting his stride here as the season continues on into January. The forward will bring that scoring mentality to UNC and hopes to earn some key minutes right away for the Tar Heels next season.

The recruit could also see his stock rise a little more in the recruiting rankings if he is able to keep this hot startup this season. It will be interesting to see if he can jump into the top 75 when it’s all said and done.

For more on Nickel and his hot start to the season, please check back with Keeping it Heel.