Roy Williams has worked really hard to bring in some new talent to replace so many key players from last season including five of the team's top scorers. While it might be a rebuilding season, the Tar Heels should be expected to be one of the top teams in the nation. This article looks at the players that Williams brought on this offseason.
Transfers
Transfers should be able to beef up team’s depths and the Tar Heels will need depth after losing such players as Nassir Little, Luke Maye, and Coby White.
SF/G Justin Pierce from William & Mary
Pierce will fit in nicely with the North Carolina scheme as he will likely fill Maye’s shoes as he is versatile while also able to play guard. Standing at 6’-7” this forward also brings thump into the lineup as he averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game at William & Mary. He will be able to play immediately as he is a redshirt junior. Ranked #4 in the ESPN Transfer rankings.
SG Christian Keeling from Charleston Southern
Losing a player with scoring prowess like Coby White hurts the team, but being able to land Keeling should be able help the team a lot. As a shooting guard from Charleston Southern, Keeling put up such gaudy numbers per game as he averaged 18.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and shot 38% from three-point range. He will be able to play immediately as he is a redshirt junior. Ranked #6 in the ESPN Transfer rankings.
Committed Recruits
PG Cole Anthony
Anthony is the the number two player in the nation for the class of 2019 and will immediately start and replace Coby White. He’s a two-way player as he is a natural scorer, but will be looked at as the guy to run the offense. He will likely be the best shooter on the team.
C Armando Bacot
Probably the most underrated recruit that Roy Williams has made, he will be thrusted into the starting lineup most likely at center. His signing allows Garrison Brooks to move to his natural position at power forward, but Bacot is a five-star recruit which helps boost the lineup and a presence down low and at the boards.
PG Jeremiah Francis
Francis is a three-star recruit and should get some playing time, but he will have to back up Anthony. Despite being a three-star recruit, he could develop into a big time player in the future for the team.
PG/SG Anthony Harris
Harris is a very versatile player as he is a four-star combo guard. While not expected to start, Harris should get a lot of playing time off the bench and also will give whoever starts some time to catch their breath on the bench. He will likely start in the future and possibly this season if there are any injuries.
Analysis: Losing White, Little, Cameron Johnson, Maye, Kenny Williams, and Seventh Woods hurts a lot as some of those players were legitimate stars and talented individuals, but Roy Williams was able to recruit some talented and versatile players that should be able to make those losses easy to forget about. Anthony and Bacot should be absolute studs and Pierce and Keeling will be vital and productive players in the lineup. It should be an exciting season for Williams and the Tar Heels.
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