With Justin Jackson declaring, what's next for UNC - SCACCHoops.com

With Justin Jackson declaring, what's next for UNC

by All Things ACC

Posted: 4/14/2017 6:00:41 PM


Justin Jackson, a junior small forward for North Carolina, is coming off a national championship and has now declared for the NBA Draft.  There might not be any surprise with his decision, after coming off a year in which he won ACC Player of the Year as well.

With the loss of Jackson, along with seniors Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, and company, the Tar Heels will be looking a lot different in the coming years next season, as they lose a ton of experience and size.

So what is next for the Tar Heels? 

Obviously, North Carolina will be left with Theo Pinson, who stands at 6-foot-6 but doesn’t hold the same offensive capabilities as Jackson does as of right now.  However, he brings experience and versatility but he plays mostly the shooting guard position. 

North Carolina also should have back Kenny Williams as well, coming off injury and a guard that played the two position.  Furthermore, freshman Brandon Robinson (6'5) will have another year under his belt and should gain more minutes next year.  But this all shows that the Tar Heels will be a much smaller team than head coach Roy Williams has been in the past.

Playing more of a guard oriented team next year might be the way Coach Williams looks to play, as the guard position will be the experienced group, much like how his big men were this past season.  North Carolina could possibly still return Joel Berry as well, while working with Williams, Pinson, Robinson, Seventh Woods, Tony Bradley, and incoming freshmen Jalek Felton and Andrew Platek.

It could become even busier with the recruitment of five-star Kevin Knox.  However, if Knox would commit to the Tar Heels, more than likely he would be moved into the starting spot at the small forward position.  Knox is a 6-foot-8 prospect from Florida and is regarded as a highly-touted prospect that is down to Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Missouri, and Florida State.

His recruitment is still up in the air but a decision should be coming soon and the trend for North Carolina could be turning in their favor and with the recent news of Jackson, it could become even easier for him.

Currently, Knox is scheduled to announce his commitment in May and as the Tar Heels wait for his decision, it ultimately could have a huge barring on how UNC will look next season.

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