UNC ONLY BASKETBALL 2024-25 SEASON

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We are the University of North freaking Carolina. If we can't manage to recruit or land a quality big or two in any given year's portal, then we've got much bigger problems than we think.
 
We are the University of North freaking Carolina. If we can't manage to recruit or land a quality big or two in any given year's portal, then we've got much bigger problems than we think.
Well it might start with a recognition that high schoolers don’t give a shit about nor romanticize the high holy days of Dean and Roy. The point earlier about no NBA all-stars really struck me. We’re not developing top NBA talent - only Coby is in ESPN’s list of top 100 NBA players, at #58. We can’t credibly sell the NBA to high schoolers, it’s a major deficiency.
 
Well it might start with a recognition that high schoolers don’t give a shit about nor romanticize the high holy days of Dean and Roy. The point earlier about no NBA all-stars really struck me. We’re not developing top NBA talent - only Coby is in ESPN’s list of top 100 NBA players, at #58. We can’t credibly sell the NBA to high schoolers, it’s a major deficiency.
Colleges don’t develop NBA talent.
 
Missing on the center targets in the portal this off-season was disappointing but understandable in a vacuum if we were simply outbid. The real problem is that Hubert has also failed to recruit good post players from the HS ranks during his tenure.
It appears (and the way it appears may not be the way it actually is) that he didn’t really target 5-star high school bigs in the last class and instead wanted to get an impactful big from the portal. I guess I can see some rationale behind that, as freshman bigs— with the exception of the truly elite ones— often need time to develop. And getting a quality experienced big can have a more immediate impact. He might need to rethink that, however, if that was his plan.
 
It appears (and the way it appears may not be the way it actually is) that he didn’t really target 5-star high school bigs in the last class and instead wanted to get an impactful big from the portal. I guess I can see some rationale behind that, as freshman bigs— with the exception of the truly elite ones— often need time to develop. And getting a quality experienced big can have a more immediate impact. He might need to rethink that, however, if that was his plan.
To your point, it takes time to develop big guys at the college level. I can understand wanting to target a big from the portal in this most recent cycle, but this is also Hubert’s 4th season as the coach. Why hasn’t he targeted big guys from HS during previous cycles?
 
FIRST TEAM

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks -- No College/Europe

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks -- No College/Europe

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder -- Kentucky 1 year

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets -- No College/Europe

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics -- dook 1 year

SECOND TEAM

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks -- Villanova 3 years

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers -- Kentucky 1 year

Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns -- Texas 1 year

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves -- Georgia 1 year

Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers -- San Diego State 2 years

THIRD TEAM

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns -- Kentucky 1 year

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors -- Davidson 3 years

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers -- Iowa State 2 years

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers -- No College

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings -- No College/Europe
 
Colleges don’t develop NBA talent.
I disagree, to a point. But, that's neither here nor there. Kids see these players in college and then in the NBA. While in the NBA, they mention their school. The media does the same. You can ask pretty much any high level player, currently in high school, where Jayson Tatum went to college and they'll tell you duke. The point is, while talent might not be developed in college, NBA stars are - at least in the minds of the typical high school athlete. And guess what, when a recruit comes in for a visit, the coach can point up to a photo recent photo of Tatum playing at duke and say, "you want to be like him, then come here." Who's HD pointing to? Someone who's career was over before they were even born.
 
There's Duke and Kentucky, and then everyone else when it comes to NBA talent. I don't buy that it's some major issue keeping top players away from UNC

There are elite NBA players from schools that have a fraction of the pedigree UNC has
 
There's Duke and Kentucky, and then everyone else when it comes to NBA talent. I don't buy that it's some major issue keeping top players away from UNC

There are elite NBA players from schools that have a fraction of the pedigree UNC has
I don't think it's a massive issue, but it is a fairly large obstacle. When is the last time we've had a freshman that balled out? Or the last time we've had a top 10 draft pick? Kids notice that, and if they don't, they're reminded by other schools.
 
I don't think it's a massive issue, but it is a fairly large obstacle. When is the last time we've had a freshman that balled out? Or the last time we've had a top 10 draft pick? Kids notice that, and if they don't, they're reminded by other schools.
Coby White - 2019
 
I don't think it's a massive issue, but it is a fairly large obstacle. When is the last time we've had a freshman that balled out? Or the last time we've had a top 10 draft pick? Kids notice that, and if they don't, they're reminded by other schools.

Not an effective recruiting pitch imo. If I'm that level of player I know I can get to the league regardless

I can maybe see the loyalty Roy had for his upperclassman being an issue, and that deterring players later in his career. Freshman needing to earn every minute and not playing over upperclassman who are less talented

Vs the Duke and Kentucky model where upperclassman didn't exist. Or the random school without much talent to begin with
 
Not an effective recruiting pitch imo. If I'm that level of player I know I can get to the league regardless

I can maybe see the loyalty Roy had for his upperclassman being an issue, and that deterring players later in his career. Freshman needing to earn every minute and not playing over upperclassman who are less talented

Vs the Duke and Kentucky model where upperclassman didn't exist. Or the random school without much talent to begin with
It's not their entire pitch, but it does matter, imo.
 
It's not their entire pitch, but it does matter, imo.

Let the players tell it and EVERYONE wanted to come to UNC :ROFLMAO: I don't believe them all but sometimes it just doesn't work out for one reason or another

You are probably right to some degree, whether the reasoning is logical or not. IIRC Alabama Cliff O. stated something along those lines in his decision to go there

Meanwhile there isn't a single Nate Oats/Bama player in the league with his skillset
 
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