Tag: TJ Power

Duke basketball’s 2023 class powers up again with another 5-star commitment

Duke gets commitment from 4-star forward TJ Power, further bolstering the No. 1 ranked class in 2023.

As if they needed any more help, Duke’s top-ranked recruiting class of 2023 scored another big commitment today.

Five-star power forward TJ Power has joined Duke’s class of 2023. That makes him the fifth five-star recruit in this class for the Blue Devils.

Last season Power averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game for Worcester Academy (Mass.). He shows exceptional ball handling, playmaking and outside shooting for his size.

Asked about his decision, Power admitted it was difficult but credited coach Jon Scheyer for his vision, per Joe Tipton at On3.

“Playing at a school like Duke has always been a dream of mine but I had to make sure I was choosing the school based on my relationship with the coaches and the feeling I had when I was on campus because that’s guided me the most throughout this whole process. I see the vision with Coach Scheyer and I’m all in.”

At 6-foot-8, 210 pounds, he’s the top recruit in the state, ranked No. 6 among power forwards and No. 22 overall. Power chose Duke over 22 other offers, including one from North Carolina.

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UNC top 2023 target TJ Power set to announce college decision

TJ Power, the top 2023 target for UNC basketball, is set to announce college decision this week.

The UNC basketball program’s top 2023 target, [autotag]TJ Power[/autotag], is set to announce his college decision.

Power will make his announcement on Wednesday, September 7th at 5:00 pm ET, according to Joe Tipton of On3.com.

Power has a final-5 of North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, Boston College and Iowa. The 6-foot-10 forward is ranked No. 24 in the 247Sports rankings.

The way UNC and head coach Hubert Davis used Brady Manek was a big selling point to Power throughout his recruiting process after the Tar Heels became involved.

“The way they can utilize skilled bigs stands out. He showed that last year with Brady Manek and this year they kind of planned to do the same thing. So that’s obviously super appealing for a place that historically. You know, there might not be a more historic place than UNC basketball.“

While that has been appealing to Power, there have been recent developments that may point to another school in North Carolina landing the talented forward.

In the last week, Duke has earned three 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions to land Power — two from Duke insiders and one from an Iowa insider.

Duke has always been a player in this recruitment, thanks to the ‘surreal’ moment that Power had when he received an offer from the Blue Devils.

If North Carolina misses on Power, it will surely go all-in on 2023 target [autotag]Zayden High[/autotag] who has an official visit later this month.

UNC has just one commitment in the class of 2023, with top-30 guard Simeon Wilcher.

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Is Duke emerging as the leader for UNC’s top 2023 target?

UNC basketball’s top 2023 target has picked up numerous Crystal Ball predictions to end up at Duke over the last week.

Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program are sitting with just one commitment in the class of 2023 at the start of September but are still extremely active with a few late blooming prospects.

The Tar Heels were included in the top-5 for 2023 four-star forward [autotag]TJ Power [/autotag] last month after offering him a scholarship before the final evaluation period of the summer in July.

Power’s top-5 includes Duke, Virginia, Boston College, Iowa and the Tar Heels. He has visited all five programs, with visits to Duke and North Carolina coming most recently.

While there has been a lot of talk about Power and the Tar Heels being a very intriguing match, there have been a few 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions that have come in for Duke to land Power.

Since September 3rd, three predictions have given Duke the nod to land the top-30 prospect. Two came from a Duke insider and one came from an Iowa insider.

Power has been on record saying he wants to commit in September, and while there are no other visits planned at the moment, it isn’t a great sign that the whispers are pointing to Duke.

At 6-foot-10, Power has been intrigued by the UNC system and how it used Brady Manek this past season.

Power is ranked No. 24 in the class of 2023 in the 247Sports rankings. He is also listed as the No. 6 power forward.

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Top-50 prospect ‘pictures’ himself playing for UNC

UNC basketball’s top 2023 target says he can see himself playing in the Dean Dome for the Tar Heels, a positive step in his recruitment.

Class of 2023 forward [autotag]TJ Power[/autotag] has been pretty quiet over the last few weeks and outside of naming a top-5, he hasn’t really gone super in-depth about his visits to Duke and North Carolina.

The UNC basketball program hosted Power for a one-day official visit following the end of Peach Jam during the final week of July. He took a one-day official visit to Duke the following day.

The Tar Heels have received some confidence in potential landing Power from 247Sports National Recruiting Director Eric Bossi.

Recently Power went into some additional details regarding his visit to UNC.

“Both visits surpassed the hype,” Power told Sports Illustrated Jason Jordan. “Me and my family were blown away. UNC is a great college town. Coach [Hubert] Davis is awesome. I had a great time walking around with him and him telling stories. Being in the Dean Dome was honestly crazy, I was picturing myself playing there.”

Power has been open about liking UNC’s system and being able to use his skillset at the ‘4’ in Hubert Davis’s offense.

His comments about ‘seeing myself playing there’ is just another positive statement for the Tar Heels in this recruitment. Power has numerous family members who live close to the area as well.

Early playing time at the 3/4 position is something that North Carolina has over Duke as well.

Power is currently ranked No. 50 overall in the 247Sports rankings.

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UNC could hold ‘slight edge’ for top 2023 target

One national analyst believes that the UNC basketball program has a slight edge when it comes to its top 2023 target.

The UNC basketball program has pretty much zoned in on its top 2023 target over the last few weeks and that is forward [autotag]TJ Power[/autotag].

Power took an official visit to North Carolina at the end of July just a few weeks after receiving an offer from Hubert Davis. Just recently, Power announced a top-5 that included UNC, Duke, Virginia, Boston College and Iowa.

While Power has visited all five schools on the list, it seems like it could come down to a battle between North Carolina and Duke.

According to 247Sports national recruiting director Eric Bossi, the Tar Heels may have a leg up in this one.

I wouldn’t totally rule out one of BC, Iowa or UVA landing Power, but if I were headed to Vegas, I would likely pick either Duke or North Carolina here and from the outside looking in both Hubert Davis and Jon Scheyer have plenty to sell. From what I have heard talking to some coaches at programs that were looking to get involved, they felt that Carolina could hold the slight edge here. But I’ve also spoken to some people who think Duke may be the team to beat. Based on what I’ve personally heard so far, I’m inclined to lean towards UNC but this thing is far from over and is going to be a real battle to the end that doesn’t yet look to be a slam dunk for any involved party.”

Power has been interested in UNC and the offensive system that Davis has in place. At 6-foot-9, Power is a versatile stretch forward who can play both on the perimeter and has the ability to create off of the dribble.

At this point, Power said he is unlikely to take any additional visits and if he doesn’t, it could come down to style of play and roster availability. With the Tar Heels losing key pieces on the wing and front court next season, there will be an ability to play a key role from day one.

This is one to keep a close eye on as Power wants to make a decision in September.

Power is ranked No. 50 overall in the 247Sports rankings.

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Top 2023 UNC target says Duke offer was ‘surreal’ moment

The top target for UNC basketball, TJ Power, says the moment he received a Duke offer was ‘surreal’, as he grew up watching the Blue Devils.

The UNC basketball program received good news on Monday when its top target in the class of 2023 included the Tar Heels in his top five.

Four-star forward [autotag]TJ Power[/autotag] announced a list of UNC, Duke, Virginia, Boston College and Iowa. He has visited all five programs, however, UNC and Duke are the two newest programs to get involved.

Power took one-day official visits to both North Carolina and Duke at the end of July — both junior year official visits.

Moving forward, Power isn’t sure if he will take any of his five potential senior year visits, according to Rivals’ analyst Travis Graf.

“I don’t (have any visits coming up). I’ve visited all five of those schools, so I might go back out, but I really haven’t planned it out yet. Right now, I don’t really see myself getting back out anywhere, but obviously that can change.”

The 6-foot-8 forward from Worcester (MA) Academy is aiming to make a decision in September and if he doesn’t take any visits, it could come down to a battle between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. It has been noted numerous times that both programs could be the teams to beat.

If that’s the case, the Blue Devils could have an edge, according to another report from On3.com’s Joe Tipton.

“Power says it was a “surreal” moment when Duke offered,” Tipton said. “He grew up watching the Blue Devils and followed the player’s journeys at Duke. Power also sees the fit in Durham, saying he “could be a core guy at Duke” and compete for “national championships right away”.”

Power is ranked No. 21 nationally in the On3 rankings for the 2023 class, the highest of any rankings platform.

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Four-star UNC basketball target getting ready to set up visits

A top UNC basketball recruiting target in the 2023 class is starting to set his visits this week but will the Tar Heels land one?

Class of 2023 four-star forward [autotag]TJ Power[/autotag] is getting ready to move forward with his recruitment as the Summer goes on. The Massachusetts native is quickly becoming a top target for several programs, including UNC, and now he’s ready to set up some visits.

The 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward told Rivals reporter Rob Cassidy that he wants to start setting up visits here after the Nike Peach Jam. And UNC could be getting one soon enough:

There are few hotter prospects in America than 2023 prospect T.J. Power of the BABC Grassroots program. The 6-foot-7 forward has attracted attention from Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, UCLA, Ohio State and others this summer. He plans to look into his new offers in the coming weeks and re-evaluate where his recruitment stands.

“I told everyone I would start setting up visits when I get back [from Peach Jam],” Power said on Friday. “They are giving me space for now. When I get home, I’ll set visits.”

The bad news about that quote is that UNC wasn’t mentioned specifically in terms of a visit, while Duke and Kansas were. However, with UNC making a push for him lately, it would be shocking not to see them get a visit.

Either way, things are certainly heating up for Power in his recruitment and if UNC wants a shot at adding him to their 2023 class, they appear to have some work to do.

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Hubert Davis watches 2024 teammates and key UNC targets at Peach Jam

Hubert Davis and assistant coach Jeff Lebo were on hand to watch five-star 2024 prospects Cam Scott and Jarin Stevenson on Wednesday.

The UNC basketball program has three members of its staff at the Peach Jam live evaluation period in South Carolina this week, which began on Wednesday.

The first stop for the UNC staff was for newly offered 2023 four-star forward TJ Power. Power had 16 points and nine rebounds in front of Hubert Davis, Jeff Lebo and Sean May.

Davis, along with Lebo then turned their attention to two key 2024 targets — both with offers — in [autotag]Cam Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Jarin Stevenson[/autotag]. Both play for the 16U Team United roster.

Scott, a 6-foot-5 guard, is a five-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He already has a strong relationship with UNC and has been on campus a few times for unofficial visits up to this point.

He holds offers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas Tech and more.

Stevenson is a 6-foot-8 forward who is ranked No. 16 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is also a five-star prospect.

He has a total of 3 offers so far, landing them from UNC, NC State, and Wake Forest. However, he does have other programs showing interest in him such as Florida State and Virginia.

Stevenson has already been labeled as a standout this week at Peach Jam from 247Sports national recruiting director Eric Bossi.

Both recruitments are ones that the UNC staff are heavily involved in and have been for quite some time already.

Both prospects should be visiting North Carolina this fall.

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UNC offers emerging 2023 four-star forward TJ Power

The UNC basketball program offered emerging 2023 four-star forward TJ Power as his recruitment is beginning to become a national one.

The UNC basketball program has extended an offer to one of the hottest prospects in the country, 2023 four-star wing [autotag]TJ Power[/autotag].

Power, who plays for Team BABC on the Nike EYBL circuit, had a huge weekend in Kansas City during the first live period in July. He averaged 23.7 points on 51.8 percent (43-of-83) from the floor, 45 percent (18-of-40) from three and 82.6 percent (38-of-46) from the free throw line. He also added 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assist per game.

He had two monster performances, however. One was a 33-point and 10-rebound game on Friday night that was then followed up by a 41-point, 10-rebound and 5-assist game on Saturday.

247Sports national recruiting director Eric Bossi broke down his game and performance during the live session.

“Nobody seemed to generate more of a buzz from the assembled college coaches than TJ Power,” Bossi said. “The forward from Worcester (Ma.) Academy was crushing it all weekend long for BABC and had coaches going particularly crazy after a 41 point outing on Saturday night. On Sunday, the 6-foot-8 Power looked a little bit gassed and understandably so. BABC was a little short handed for the weekend and he had to be his team’s best scorer, rebounder and passer through a grueling and competitive round of six games over the course of about three and a half days. Even so, he played with intensity and energy and showed flashes of what could turn out to be elite shot making ability on the next level and serious positional versatility.

“Currently ranked just outside of the top 50 by 247Sports, Power has put himself in position to make a large jump after the summer because of his size and tools.”

Power has been hearing most from Indiana, Virginia, Notre Dame, Boston College, Providence and Iowa up to this point.

UCLA and Kansas also offered Power after his strong weekend.

The Worcester (Ma.) Academy forward averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists helping lead them to a 23-7 record and Class AA state title last season.

The Tar Heels have a hold on the No. 2 overall recruiting class in 2023 behind arch-rival Duke. They have commitment from five-star prospects GG Jackson and Simeon Wilcher.

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Who is Oklahoma Basketball targeting in the 2023 class?

Oklahoma signed three in the 2022 class. Who is on Oklahoma’s radar in 2023?

Oklahoma’s men’s basketball team has been mired in a difficult stretch to say the least. After losing Saturday at Iowa State 75-54, the Sooners have dropped 10 of their past 12 games and fell to the “first four out” section of ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology projection.

OU signed three in the 2022 class back in November. According to ESPN, OU signed a pair of top-100 players in point guard Milos Uzan and small forward Otega Oweh. Oklahoma also signed the top international prospect according to ESPN in Germany wing Benny Schröder.

Who are the Sooners after beyond 2022, though? Let’s take a look at some of OU’s 2023 targets.