North Carolina’s 2019 Rankings
This is the time of year colleges are re-shuffling their recruiting boards. Players are forming their lists and choosing their schools and coaches are needed to fill their rosters. North Carolina’s 2019 class is incredibly deep, yet as of this writing only 10 players have committed to their program of choice.
Of course there are a good number of kids who have narrowed down and are close on decisions, but here are some that schools need to be taking long looks at…
6’9” Emmanuel Izunabor
Fayetteville Academy (Fayetteville, NC)
NC 2019 Ranking: 9th
Current Offers: East Carolina, Hofstra, Denver, Radford
In a class that has a lack of high level bigs, it is a wonder why one of the best bigs in North Carolina is still falling so far under the radar. On the Under Armour Circuit, with Team Felton, Izunabor was second on the team in rebounding, averaged 1.3 blocks per game and shot just under 50% from the field. He is a very good passer out of the post and a true rim protector in the paint. Not to mention he has an unbelievable personality. Would not be surprised, if he waits, to see offers start coming in as coaches get on the road to watch open gyms.
6’7” Brice Williams
Hopewell HS (Charlotte, NC)
NC 2019 Ranking: 12th
Current Offers: St Bonaventure, George Mason, Charlotte, Lafayette, Bucknell
Williams is a play making wing with great size and ball skills. His skill set encompasses everything in the way that modern day basketball is going. For his high school team, you will see him bring the ball up the floor and initiate offense. In travel ball, for Team Loaded 704, he was a scorer. He has the ability to create off the bounce, in the half court or knock down jump shots off the catch, from beyond the arc. Scoring comes naturally to him as his late father, Henry, is the all-time leading scorer in Charlotte history. The A10 offers seem right, and possibly even still a bit low for him.
6’2” AJ McKee
Independence HS (Charlotte, NC)
NC 2019 Ranking: 22nd
Current Offers: UMass, Presbyterian, Campbell, Charleston Southern
All McKee does is win. He did it as the go-to scorer for Independence (North Carolina’s 4A State Champion) last year and he did it for Team Charlotte (#2 regular season team on the UA Circuit) this summer. McKee plays a vital role in that winning as he straps you up on defense and unwittingly makes shots in your face on offense. His game is similar to Patrick Beverly’s, and so is his mentality. McKee is probably the best on the ball defender in the region and looking at his offers, UMass seemed to be on to something, at their level.
6’6” Caleb Stone Carrawell
Cox Mill HS (Concord, NC)
NC 2019 Ranking: 19th
Current Offers: FAU, USC-Upstate, James Madison, UNC-G, App State, Howard, High Point, Radford
Much like McKee, Stone-Carrawell has won at every level. He won a North Carolina 3A state title with Cox Mill last year and then helped Team United to an Elite 8 finish at Peach Jam on the EYBL. However, it was when Stone-Carrawell jumped over to PSB Elite that he showcased his full game. Stone-Carrawell has great size, and has always been able to really shoot the ball off the catch. With PSB Elite however, he showed the ability to create offense for himself. Whether it be initiating off the rebound, restarting in the half court or one and two dribble pull ups from the wing, Stone-Carrawell showcased the ability to do all of that. His father played (and is currently a coach) at Duke. There is a lot of room for a 6’6” shot making/creating wing in college.
6’4” Jayvis Harvey
Southern Durham (Durham, NC)
NC 2019 Ranking: 26th
Current Offers: St Bonaventure, Hofstra, UNC-A, James Madison, Citadel, NC Central
In our opinion, Harvey is the best pure shooter in the state. His release is quick and high, his touch is soft and he is shot ready on every catch. Coached in high school by David Noel (former UNC standout and NBA draft selection), he is getting better by the passing day. Harvey was the first wing off the bench for Team Felton this July, on the UA Circuit and he showcased that scoring ability at the highest level. It is easy to fall in love with his game, as every shot seems to ripple the nets. As more college coaches come in to see him and more and more shooting guards fall off the board, eyes will open for this pure shooter with good size.