Tar Heels Hand Out Pair Of Offers
RELATED: Roy's Radar - Class of 2018
North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams had a busy night Monday, as the Tar Heels’ head coach handed out a pair of scholarship offers.
Shooting guard Coby White and small forward Zion Williamson were the recipients of Williams’ interest, as the coach looks to build a balanced and strong class.
White, who has exploded this month and scored 28 points for the CP3in 16-U squad in front of Williams at the Fab 48 in Las Vegas, got the first offer.
“He called me earlier tonight, he talked about how I play and how I played in July,” White told THI on Monday night. “He really liked it a lot, and then he offered me.”
White, a 4-star prospect ranked the No. 61 overall player in the class, also has offers from Virginia and Wake Forest, among others. But when Williams called and offered, he was more than surprised.
“I was in shock,” he said. “I’m still in shock. I still can’t believe that it, that they offered me.”
Why was he in such shock?
“You grow up seeing UNC on TV all the time playing in big games,” White said. “I mean, they’re UNC.”
White, who is 6-3 and 170 pounds and plays at Greenfield H.S. in Wilson, NC, visited UNC in June and loved everything about the visit. He even appreciated the fact that the current Tar Heels he played pick up with are so “big” and much more advanced, because he let him know exactly what he needs to work on.
UNC’s style is what White prefers.
“They get up and down the court, that’s my style,” he said. “It’s how I like to play. I love to run and I’d fit in.”
Williamson is the No. 3 overall prospect in the class. At 6-5 and 230 pounds, the 5-star has been offered by UCLA, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, UConn, Florida and so many more. He attends Spartanburg Day School in Spartanburg, SC.
“He told me he saw me when I was at my best, and when I wasn't at my best,” Williamson told THI. “He said he is hoping to build a family relationship with me, and then he offered."
THI basketball recruiting analyst Clint Jackson offers his take on the two offers.
“I am definitely not surprised by the Zion Williamson offer,” he said. “That kid has proven himself at the biggest camps that he is a premier player in the class of 2018. And he is probably a safe bet as a top five type when it's all said and done. He is physically overwhelming on offense. Too big, too strong and too quick for many to defend. His mid range slashing game is money and he is an absolute horse on the boards.
“Coby just had a monster performance in front of the UNC coaches and his stock is trending up quickly. I think he can play off the ball or on the ball. He shoots it well and can make plays off the bounce. He's a long guard who can put points on the board.”