Breaking: Two More Preps Appear to Eliminate UNC Basketball From Contention

August 29, 2024 Kerry Will College Basketball 0

Hubert Davis and his UNC basketball staff are not among the three programs set to host the highly sought-after Boozer twins.

More than a year ago, Cayden and Cameron Boozer received offers from UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff. Throughout the recruiting process for the Columbus High School (Fla.) standouts, the Tar Heels have occasionally looked like serious candidates.

The UNC recruiters have not yet invited either Cayden Boozer, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard ranked No. 18 in the 247Sports 2025 Composite, or Cameron Boozer, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward who is ranked No. 2 overall in the class, for a campus visit. It appears unlikely that they will do so.

On Wednesday afternoon, it was confirmed by North Carolina Tar Heels on SI that the highly-rated Boozer twins, sons of former Duke basketball star Carlos Boozer, have scheduled three upcoming unofficial visits. They will visit Duke this weekend, followed by a trip to Florida next weekend, and will conclude their visits at Miami starting September.

They are expected to announce their college decisions in time for the early signing period in November.

Several prospects from the 18-player 2025 UNC basketball offer list, which has yet to secure a commitment, have officially ruled out the Tar Heels. Although the Boozer twins have not disclosed their finalists, their planned visits suggest they have narrowed their choices to three schools.

One large man is not enrolled in UNC basketball this semester.

Zayden High No Longer Part of UNC Basketball.

Forward Zayden High, who played for the UNC men’s basketball team in the 2023-24 season, is no longer enrolled at the university. The program announced in a press release on Tuesday evening that the 6-foot-9, 225-pound player will not be part of head coach Hubert Davis’ plans for the upcoming season.

High, a four-star recruit ranked No. 70 overall in the 247Sports 2023 Composite, arrived in Chapel Hill last summer after considering offers from Michigan, Villanova and Alabama among others. As a freshman, he appeared in 23 games, averaging 0.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 4.5 minutes per contest while shooting 31.6% from the field and 66.7% from the free throw line.

The press release did not provide an explanation for High’s departure from the university. His removal leaves UNC with a forward group including transfers Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin, freshmen Drake Powell and James Brown, and veterans Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers.

High’s exit comes as a surprise in late August, as he was considered a potential breakout candidate who could have emerged as a factor in the Tar Heels’ frontcourt rotation[4]. His departure marks another setback for a UNC team that has already faced challenges in building its frontcourt this offseason.

Zayden High joined the UNC basketball program last summer as a four-star recruit, ranked No. 70 in the 247Sports 2023 Composite, coming from the renowned Compass Prep in Arizona. The 20-year-old, originally from Texas, was one of only two players in the 2023 recruiting class for UNC, alongside five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau, who is now a sophomore preparing for his second year as the starting point guard.

As a sophomore under head coach Hubert Davis, High might have seen a slight increase in playing time. However, the Tar Heels have brought in two experienced transfers, Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin, who play similar positions.

UNC Basketball’s Exciting Goal Establishes Decision Date.

Recent discussions and forecasts suggest that it is highly improbable for UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his team to succeed in the recruitment of Jasper Johnson. However, the Tar Heels are expected to remain among the finalists until he makes his decision.

On Monday afternoon, senior guard Jasper Johnson from Overtime Elite (Ga.) confirmed the date for his college announcement. According to Joe Tipton from On3 and other national recruiting experts, Johnson will reveal his decision on September 5, which is later than the end-of-August timeframe his camp had previously mentioned.

He will make the announcement at Woodford County High School, his former school, located less than 15 miles from Rupp Arena in Kentucky.

Currently, Kentucky is the clear frontrunner to secure the commitment of the 6-foot-4, 175-pound sharpshooter, a five-star left-handed player ranked No. 10 overall and No. 2 among shooting guards in the 247Sports 2025 Composite. The venue for his announcement likely boosts confidence in this prediction.

Jasper Johnson Narrows Decision to Three Schools.

Five-star shooting guard Jasper Johnson has narrowed his college decision down to three schools: Kentucky, Alabama, and North Carolina, according to On3’s Joe Tipton. Johnson previously listed a top five that also included Arkansas and Louisville, but will now choose between the Wildcats, Crimson Tide, and Tar Heels.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound lefty from Lexington, Kentucky is ranked No. 10 overall and No. 2 among shooting guards in the 247Sports 2025 Composite. He has taken official visits to Kentucky, Alabama, and North Carolina in recent months.

Kentucky appears to be the frontrunner, holding an 84.9% lead in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine. Johnson has strong ties to the Wildcats, as his father Dennis Johnson played football there in the early 2000s. New head coach Mark Pope has made Johnson a priority, telling him he wants him to be the first commit in Kentucky’s 2025 class.

Alabama is also firmly in the mix, with Johnson praising their track record of developing great guards. The Crimson Tide are coming off a Final Four appearance and have a pair of Johnson’s former Link Academy teammates in Derrion Reid and Labaron Philon.

North Carolina has been working hard to build a relationship with Johnson, with head coach Hubert Davis telling him he wants him to play for the Tar Heels “whenever” he’s ready. Assistant coach Sean May has been in daily contact with Johnson and his family.

Johnson will announce his college decision on September 5 at his former high school, Woodford County, located just 15 miles from Kentucky’s Rupp Arena. The five-star sharpshooter is known for his deep three-point range and scoring ability.

Highlight Unexpectedly for UNC Basketball: Another Roster Addition.

Russ Hawkins Joins UNC Basketball as Walk-On.

Russ Hawkins, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard from Charlotte, has transitioned from the JV team to becoming a walk-on for the UNC basketball program. Last season as a freshman, Hawkins played on the junior varsity squad in Chapel Hill.

He now joins the Tar Heels’ roster alongside head coach Hubert Davis’ son, 6-foot-4, 197-pound senior guard Elijah Davis. Elijah transferred to UNC from Division III Lynchburg for his final season of eligibility.

Hawkins will provide depth and competition in practice for the Tar Heels, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 20-13 season that ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. The Charlotte native will have four years of eligibility remaining as a walk-on.

His addition to the team comes as UNC continues to reshape its roster through the transfer portal and recruiting. The Tar Heels have brought in several new faces, including Elijah Davis, to complement returning players like Jalen Washington, Jae’Lyn Withers, and RJ Davis.

While walk-ons typically have limited playing time, Hawkins will have the opportunity to learn from the coaching staff and compete against high-level talent in practice. His presence adds to the overall depth and competitive nature of the UNC basketball program.

The UNC basketball social media team left many fans puzzled on Sunday night when they continued their “Summer Work” spotlight series by sharing a photo of Russ Hawkins, along with a highlight of the sophomore practicing on Roy Williams Court in the Dean E. Smith Center.

In the featured clip, Hawkins demonstrates his skills by stealing the ball from returning junior guard Seth Trimble at the top of the key, fighting for possession near midcourt, and then assisting Tar Heel junior transfer forward Cade Tyson for a dunk in transition.

Hawkins is not expected to secure a role in the regular rotation. However, he appears to be an aggressive defender and a quick decision-maker, contributing valuable depth to the team’s backcourt.

The UNC basketball team will begin its 2024-25 season, the fourth under head coach Hubert Davis, with a game against Elon at the Smith Center on November 4. Just four days later, they will face off against the Kansas Jayhawks in a prestigious matchup at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

Four Teams Are Considered Leaders for Top-Five Recruits: UNC Basketball.

Caleb Wilson Narrows Focus to Four Schools.

Five-star power forward Caleb Wilson, ranked No. 4 overall in the 247Sports 2025 Composite, has narrowed his focus to four schools as he nears his college decision. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound senior from Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Georgia is considering UNC, Arkansas, Auburn, and Alabama.

Wilson initially trimmed his list to 12 schools in late July, which included Duke, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Oregon and others. However, according to a recent update from HS Top Recruits, the Tar Heels and three SEC programs have emerged as the frontrunners in his recruitment.

Wilson has taken official visits to UNC, Arkansas, and Auburn in recent months. He also plans to attend games at UNC and Auburn this fall before announcing his college choice. The Atlanta native has been a top priority for Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels since they offered him in May 2023.

Landing Wilson would be a huge boost for UNC’s 2025 recruiting class. He is known for his versatility, able to score inside and out while also impacting the game on the defensive end with his length and athleticism. Wilson’s addition would give the Tar Heels a potential one-and-done talent to build around.

With the early signing period approaching in November, Wilson’s recruitment is entering its final stages. The Tar Heels will look to fend off the SEC trio and secure a commitment from one of the nation’s elite prospects. Wilson’s decision could have major implications for UNC’s outlook in 2025-26 and beyond.

Five-star power forward Caleb Wilson has trimmed his list of suitors to 12 schools, including UNC, according to a recent report. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound rising senior from Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Georgia is considering the following programs:

UNC
Alabama

Arkansas
Auburn
Duke
Georgia Tech
Kentucky
Ohio State
Oregon
Southern California
Tennessee
UCF

Wilson, ranked No. 4 overall and No. 2 among power forwards in the 247Sports 2025 Composite, has scheduled official visits to Alabama on September 6 and Kentucky on September 13. He also plans to attend games at UNC and Auburn this fall before announcing his college decision.

The Atlanta native has been a top priority for Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels since they offered him in May 2023. Landing Wilson would be a huge boost for UNC’s 2025 recruiting class, as he is known for his versatility, scoring ability, and defensive impact with his length and athleticism.

With the early signing period approaching in November, Wilson’s recruitment is heating up. The Tar Heels will look to fend off the other bluebloods and secure a commitment from one of the nation’s elite prospects in the coming months.

As a junior, Caleb Wilson made only three official visits. In early February, he was hosted by UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff during the Tar Heels’ home victory over their archrival Blue Devils, following visits to Auburn and Kentucky in October.

Although Wilson has not yet scheduled a return trip to Chapel Hill, he has expressed intentions to attend another UNC basketball game before making a decision regarding his recruitment.

 

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