We detailed yesterday that this was going to be an important month of recruiting for Hubert Davis, and Carolina Basketball. As of midnight on June 1st the recruiting dead period came to a close, allowing schools to host in person recruiting visits. Will Shaver a big man from Alabama, became the first of several prospects to visit Chapel Hill and was the first in-person visit since Donovan “Puff Johnson” back in 2019. Like Johnson, Shaver committed to UNC before even leaving Chapel Hill, giving Hubert Davis his first commit since being named the head coach back in April.
North Carolina Basketball is going to look a little different under Davis, as there’s going to be less traditional two post players lineups and more emphasis on floor spacing and perimeter. With that in mind, Davis needs front-court players, as the program lost four post players to the transfer portal and Day’Ron Sharpe to the NBA. For next season UNC will have just three front-court players in rising junior Armando Bacot and transfers Brady Manek and Justin McKoy. It’s really not a surprise that of the handful of players that are scheduled to visit UNC this month, most are front-court players, including the newest Tar Heel Will Shaver.
The front court players that will make their way to Chapel Hill for visits aren’t the same breed that Roy Williams recruited. Instead of bringing in traditional post players, Davis wants guys that can stretch the floor, and make perimeter shots, that’s why they were all over Brady Manek once he entered the transfer portal. Shaver stands 6-10, and weighs 245 pounds, but has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, and despite his thicker frame, can make shots out beyond the three point line. One of the many parts of the off-season program for Armando Bacot is to make 1,000 three pointers every day, to help increase floor spacing even at the “five” position. Shaver’s the #16 center overall in the 2022 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports Composite, likely meaning he’s going to be in the program for some time. That allows Davis and his new staff to attack more high profile targets, knowing they are going to have talent on the roster for the years to come.
While Shaver doesn’t have five stars besides his name, this is a big get for Hubert Davis. Shaver becomes the first recruit Davis has successfully landed since becoming the head coach. Upon his hire, everyone raved about his ability to connect with today’s players, and build relationships, this commitment solidifies those remarks. Additionally, in recruiting there is such a thing as momentum and Carolina can certainly build on Shaver’s commitment in this month alone. Shaver’s commitment also comes on the same day that Coach K has announced he will retire at the end of the next season, and while Duke has already named his successor, there’s still a lot of unknown in Durham, whereas there’s already stability in Chapel Hill. Hubert maintained during the transition from Roy Williams to himself, that Carolina wasn’t going anywhere in terms of on court results, and recruiting, and so far he’s holding up his end of the bargain.
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