UNC Basketball: Former 2023 Commit will visit St John’s

The UNC basketball program recently lost 2023 recruit Simeon Wilcher when he requested a release from his NLI. Now he’s planning a visit… where?

Most of the UNC basketball fanbase seemed somewhat shocked on Tuesday afternoon when 2023 four-star commit Simeon Wilcher requested a release of his National Letter of Intent to play for the University of North Carolina next year.

This came eight days after 2024 guard Elliot Cadeau reclassified to join the Tar Heels in 2023. Almost not even 48 hours after being granted his release from the UNC basketball program, Wilcher already has a visit lined up.

The Roselle, New Jersey native will visit St. John’s University, just about an hour from his hometown. Rick Pitino was named the head coach of St. John’s this offseason after leading the Iona Gaels to a successful season and NCAA Tournament appearance, he has been active on the recruiting trail.

It doesn’t seem to be a shock that Wilcher will be visiting the local school where there might be an opportunity to earn more playing time with the Red Storm than there otherwise might have been in Chapel Hill with the Tar Heels.

Many Tar Heel fans may not like the idea of Wilcher playing for St. John’s since he isn’t the only UNC basketball recruit that Pitino is attempting to flip from the Tar Heels to the Red Storm. There have been several rumors that Pitino is also making recruiting efforts at Bronx, NY native Ian Jackson, ranked No. 5 in the Class of 2024.

For now, UNC basketball fans have nothing to worry about with Jackson as he remains committed to the Tar Heels. As for Wilcher, we wish him the best of luck and hope he has a successful college career wherever he chooses to attend.

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