Tag: North Carolina Basketball

UNC staff pushing for commitment from top 2024 target

The UNC basketball coaching staff is ‘pushing for’ a commitment from a top 2024 five-star target.

The UNC basketball program already holds the top class in 2024, but it is still pushing hard for the finishing touches.

One of those pieces is five-star forward [autotag]Jarin Stevenson[/autotag]. Stevenson is ranked as the No. 14 player on the 247Sports composite and the No. 2 power forward in the class.

The Tar Heels have been involved with Stevenson longer than nearly every prospect in the 2024 class.

To this point, there has been no commitment or feel when he will announce a decision. That hasn’t stopped the Tar Heels from trying, however.

“They’re pushing for it,” Stevenson said of UNC’s staff wanting him to commit.

The North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year this season playing for Seaforth (NC) averaged 21.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this season.

North Carolina, Georgetown, Missouri, NC State, Virginia and Wake Forest, among others, are after Stevenson.

The pro option is also a route the family is considering, but it seems the secondary thought at the moment. A potential reclassification is on the table as well, but Stevenson has been open about wanting to take his time and not rush into anything.

For now, it’s wait-and-see with Stevenson. But, there’s no doubt that North Carolina and Hubert Davis want Stevenson in Chapel Hill.

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UNC commit put together ‘complete performance’ over the weekend

UNC basketball commit Ian Jackson put together a great performance over the weekend that was labeled a ‘complete performance’ by an analyst.

It was the first live evaluation period of the spring and that meant coaches were out all across the country. Numerous terrific performances were poured in but not many better than UNC basketball commit [autotag]Ian Jackson[/autotag].

In what was labeled the ‘Game of the Day’ on Saturday, Jackson put up 35 points in a 81-78 win over city rival NY Jayhawks.

According to 247Sports analyst Adam Finkelstein, Jackson put together a ‘complete performance’.

“For Jackson, this was a complete performance that encapsulated all that he is capable of providing on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he played with extreme pace and was absolutely dynamic in the open floor, not just with his speed but with the body control to adjust himself in mid-air on multiple finishes. Even in the half-court, he impressed. He didn’t settle for jumpers, but made a couple of rhythm threes, got downhill, scored a game-high 35 points, and even made a couple of heady passes off the dribble. It all started with his defense though as he set the tone on that end of the floor, especially in the decisive second-half. He picked up for the length of the court, fought over ball-screens, and provided constant ball pressure.”

Jackson helped New York Wiz Kids go 2-2 on the weekend.

The UNC commit is ranked No. 5 overall in the 2024 class. While the rumors of a potential reclassification to 2023 are out there, Jackson has remained firm that he is staying in 2024.

Jackson is part of UNC’s four-man recruiting class in 2024 that is ranked No. 1 in the country.

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2024 UNC commit wants to impact winning more than anything else

2024 UNC basketball commit Drake Powell has been an individual standout this weekend but wants to ‘impact winning’ more than anything else.

One of the best performers to come out of the first live period has been UNC basketball commit [autotag]Drake Powell[/autotag].

The 6-foot-6 wing has been tremendous this weekend, averaging 19 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and shooting 50 percent from the floor. Team CP3 is 3-0 on the weekend.

While his stats are impressive, Powell isn’t worried about the individual numbers. The only thing he’s worried about is winning.

Following his Saturday morning win, Powell told Brendan Marks of The Athletic that in college he wants to impact winning more than anything else.

Powell has always been that way, which showed throughout his junior season campaign. He helped lead Northwood (North Carolina) to a runner-up appearance in the state tournament. He averaged 18.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

Powell is part of a four-man recruiting class for the Tar Heels in 2024, which holds the top spot in the team rankings.

Powell was the first commitment of the 2024 cycle for Hubert Davis and North Carolina. Ranked in the mid-70s at the time, Powell has risen to the No. 19 overall player in the class and a five-star prospect.

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Cormac Ryan chose UNC because of ‘strong connection’ with Hubert Davis

Cormac Ryan chose the UNC basketball program because of a ‘strong connection’ with head coach Hubert Davis.

The UNC basketball program landed a commitment from its third transfer this offseason when Notre Dame wing [autotag]Cormac Ryan[/autotag] made his pledge.

Ryan, who has one year of eligibility remaining, took a visit to UNC this week and committed while on his visit.

The main reason for it? The ‘strong connection’ with head coach Hubert Davis.

“Ultimately why I chose North Carolina, I really felt a strong connection with Hubert Davis who is a phenomenal basketball coach and person,” Ryan told 247Sports national recruiting analyst Travis Branham. “I think we are poised to have a hungry and talented group. That is something that really drew me and my role and fit with those guys is something that really excites me.”

Where UNC basketball signees sit in final 2023 ESPN rankings

ESPN updated its final class of 2023 player rankings this week, with both of UNC basketball’s signees sitting in the top-75.

As the 2023 class winds down its high school year, the final class rankings have started to come out. For UNC basketball’s two-man class, both players landed in the top 100.

UNC’s class of [autotag]Simeon Wilcher[/autotag] and [autotag]Zayden High[/autotag] ranks No. 24 in the ESPN team rankings. Originally, UNC’s class included the top overall prospect in the class, GG Jackson, before he reclassified to 2022 and flipped his commitment to South Carolina.

Either way, the Tar Heels ended up with two four-star prospects.

Simeon Wilcher finished at No. 27 overall while Zayden High was No. 75 in the class.

ESPN recruiting analysts Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi broke down UNC’s class.

“Carolina had some misfortune in the 2023 class when elite prospect G.G. Jackson decommitted and ultimately wound up in the 2022 class with South Carolina. But Hubert Davis has a very good duo lined up at this stage. Five-star guard Wilcher has been in the fold for more than a year. He’s an excellent offensive player, capable of playing either guard spot and showing high-level ability as a scorer and creator. ESPN 100 forward Zayden High was a stock-riser during the spring and summer, bursting onto the scene during the April Nike EYBL sessions. High is an intriguing offensive piece given his ability to score inside but also stretch the floor with his shooting ability.”

Joining the two-man high school class next season so far are Louisville transfer forward Jae’Lyn Withers and Brown transfer wing Paxson Wojcik.

Both Wilcher and High are expected to be multi-year players in Chapel Hill.

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UNC a ‘team to monitor’ for FSU transfer Matthew Cleveland

The UNC basketball program is a labeled as a ‘team to monitor’ for FSU transfer wing Matthew Cleveland.

The UNC basketball program is actively pursuing an in-conference transfer and could be gaining some ground.

It was reported earlier this week that there was indeed mutual interest between the Tar Heels and Florida State transfer [autotag]Matthew Cleveland[/autotag].

Now, the Heels could be a team to ‘monitor’ even more moving forward, according to On3.com reporter Jamie Shaw.

“Things have been somewhat quiet around Cleveland’s recruitment. Sources say four schools to watch for in the former five-star prospect’s recruitment are Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Miami. I am told that visits should be happening soon, and I am hearing there is room for a fifth school to work its way in, but things could also stay here. Watch to see which visits are set, which are taken, and monitor the timeline.”

Cleveland averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for the Seminoles this past season and is a 12.7 point per game scorer in 59 career games.

He was a five-star prospect as part of the 2021 class and could be a terrific addition to the North Carolina perimeter. He has the ability to play as a small-ball 4 or a bigger wing. His versatility on both ends of the floor is very appealing.

North Carolina shot just 31.2 percent from three last season and one spot Cleveland wouldn’t help much is shooting. Despite shooting 35 percent from three last year, he’s just a career 28.7 percent shooter from the perimeter on 1.6 attempts per game.

This is one to keep an eye on as a North Carolina fan.

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Notre Dame wing transfer Cormac Ryan would be ‘perfect’ fit for UNC

Notre Dame wing transfer Cormac Ryan would be a ‘perfect’ fit for the UNC basketball program.

The UNC basketball program received a visit from a key potential transfer on Tuesday in Notre Dame graduate transfer [autotag]Cormac Ryan[/autotag].

Ryan, a 6-foot-5 wing, brings with him a tremendous ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter. He’s a career 35.2 percent three-point shooter on 5.2 attempts per game.

In 2022-23, Ryan averaged a career-high 12.3 points per game while shooting 34.4 percent from three on 5.7 attempts per game. He made 63 3s in 32 games.

He made at least two 3s in 18 games.

His ability to score on the wing is something UNC and Hubert Davis are desperately looking for.

And, according to 247Sports, Ryan could be a ‘perfect’ fit for the Tar Heels.

“How would he fit with North Carolina? It’s almost perfect … RJ Davis’ dribble penetration creates open jumpers; so does Armando Bacot’s pure presence in the lane. Ryan’s ability to cash in on those generated looks would be a welcomed boon for a UNC offense that shot an ugly 31% on catch-and-shoot 3s in 2022-23, according to Synergy.”

North Carolina’s struggles shooting the ball last season was evident and highly publicized. There’s no hiding it.

On the season, UNC shot 31.2 percent from three, ranked 329th overall in the country.

“The veteran guard basically never stops moving. His ability to relocate and move without the basketball puts opposing defenses in constant distress. Ryan also showcased his ability to be a secondary creator who can get to a midrange pull-up in the pick-and-roll game.”

In 2021-22, Ryan averaged 9.2 points per game and shot 40.7 percent from three on 4.0 attempts per game.

In 116 career games across four seasons, Ryan has averaged 1.8 made 3s a game.

UNC has added Louisville transfer forward Jae’Lyn Withers and Brown transfer wing Paxson Wojcik this offseason.

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WATCH: UNC commit Ian Jackson goes through workout with Chris Brickley

Highlights of UNC basketball commit Ian Jackson working out with trainer Chris Brickley.

UNC basketball commit [autotag]Ian Jackson[/autotag] took part in one of the most decorated all-star camps in high school last week.

The Chris Brickley Invitational was held in Chicago and hosted by legendary NBA trainer Chris Brickley. It is a showcase for the top talent in the high school game with players hand-selected from any class by Brickley.

Jackson is one of the top players in the entire country regardless of class and is a consensus top-5 player in the 2024 class. He is the No. 5 player in the 247Sports rankings.

Jackson was one of three future Tar Heels in attendance, alongside 2023 four-star guard Simeon Wilcher and 2024 five-star guard Elliot Cadeau.

While the rumors of a potential reclassification to 2023 are out there, Jackson has remained firm that he is staying in 2024.

UNC’s four-man recruiting class in 2024 is ranked No. 1 in the country, highlighted by three five-star prospects in Jackson, Cadeau and Drake Powell and one four-star forward in James Brown.

Below are highlights of some of his workouts before the scrimmage.

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UNC the perfect offensive system for transfer commit Jae’Lyn Withers

According to one Louisville basketball scout, the UNC basketball program has the ‘perfect offensive system’ for transfer Jae’Lyn Withers.

The UNC basketball program landed its second commitment from the transfer portal last week: Louisville forward [autotag]Jae’Lyn Withers[/autotag].

Withers averaged 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season while also shooting 41.7% from three on 3 attempts per game.

Sean Vinsel, founder of Hoops Insight, which focuses on the Louisville basketball program from an advanced statistics perspective, spoke about Withers and the addition for the Tar Heels.

“I think he is a really good frontcourt piece for North Carolina. I think it is an absolutely perfect offensive system for him. … Last year he showed me some stuff where I really think he can probably play at a much higher level than he was at. I think he is a guy that will blossom at North Carolina in a little bit better system with guys around him that will not put so much on him.”

Withers has the ability to play as a wing or hybrid four. His best position is that stretch 4 who can knock down 3s for the Tar Heels.

Withers would have ranked third on the UNC roster this past season in made 3s (40) and fourth in attempts (96).

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Newly-offered 2023 wing discusses UNC & his top five schools

The UNC basketball program landed in the top five and is receiving a visit from a 2023 wing just shortly after it extended an offer.

While the transfer portal is as busy as ever, there are still a handful of uncommitted high school seniors in the class of 2023. And the UNC basketball program will be receiving a visit from one of the better shooters in the class.

Three-star wing [autotag]Brady Dunlap[/autotag] was offered from UNC just recently and has also scheduled a visit to Chapel Hill. Dunlap will be on campus at the end of the month on April 30.

On Thursday, Dunlap released his top five. The schools included are North Carolina, Penn State, St. John’s, Villanova and Nebraska.

Dunlap spoke with 247Sports and broke down his impression of the Tar Heels and head coach Hubert Davis.

“Hubert Davis told me they have a need for shooting in general. He read me off statistics about their team last year and how they need shooters. They feel I can fit into the equation and add that piece to the team. That was my biggest takeaway. He obviously evaluated my game and went into detail about it. He watched a lot of film on me and having his recognition on how I could fit in was the biggest takeaway from our conversation.”

Dunlap is ranked as the No. 128 player in the 247Sports class of 2023 rankings. He was originally a Notre Dame commit but re-opened his recruitment after head coach Mike Brey retired.

North Carolina is coming off of a horrendous shooting season, connecting on just 31.2 percent of its 3s.

Playing alongside Bronny James for Strive For Greatness on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, Dunlap averaged 16.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He shot 46 percent from the field and 34 percent from three.

The Tar Heels currently have a two-man high school class for 2023 with four-star prospects Simeon Wilcher and Zayden High.

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